In August, Michelle Branch learned that her husband Patrick Carney (of the Black Keys) was cheating on her. Given her middle-of-the-night tweet, it seemed like she just learned about his affair at that moment, and she reacted by slapping him. The cops were called and Branch was arrested for domestic violence. She spent hours in jail, then she was released because she’s still breastfeeding their infant daughter. She immediately sought legal counsel and filed for divorce. Within a week, there was some kind of settlement between Branch and Carney, where he dropped the domestic violence charge and Branch agreed to take an anger management class or something. Now, weeks later, it looks like Branch and Carney are possibly reconciling?
Michelle Branch and Patrick Carney are giving their marriage another shot, because they’re backing off their divorce, at least for now … to try to work things out. According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Michelle and Patrick are pressing pause on their divorce for at least 6 months, during which time they will try to reconcile.
After the cooling-off period, the singer and The Black Keys drummer will then decide if they want to dismiss their divorce entirely or move forward with the split.
The docs say, during the reconciliation effort, Michelle and Patrick may resume living together as husband and wife and participate in counseling sessions to help their marriage.
It’s quite the turn of events for Michelle and Patrick — she filed for divorce last month, on the heels of her arrest for domestic assault and allegations of infidelity on Patrick’s part.
Michelle and Patrick have 2 young kids together and they’ve been married for more than 3 years.
MB cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for divorce … but now it looks like they think there’s at least a chance they might be able to iron out those differences.
Ugh. I feel so sorry for her. I’ve felt sorry for her throughout this mess. Their daughter is only seven months old and their son is four years old. Michelle also has a teenage daughter from her first marriage. I hate to think of how Carney is manipulating her and how he’s likely playing on the “we need to stay together for the kids” thing. Just the fact that he orchestrated Michelle’s arrest is reason enough to divorce his ass and never look back. But she’s probably thinking about custody of the kids and what’s best for them and all of that.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
148241, Michelle Branch and Patrick Carney arrive at Universal Music Group’s 2016 GRAMMY After Party at The Theatre At The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, California – Monday February 15, 2016. Photograph: © Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews.,Image: 507007536, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – DIRECT SALES ONLY – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews / Avalon 
148241, Michelle Branch arrives at Universal Music Group’s 2016 GRAMMY After Party at The Theatre At The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, California – Monday February 15, 2016. Photograph: © Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews.,Image: 525551398, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – DIRECT SALES ONLY – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews / Avalon 
148241, Michelle Branch and Patrick Carney arrive at Universal Music Group’s 2016 GRAMMY After Party at The Theatre At The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, California – Monday February 15, 2016. Photograph: © Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office: +1 310.822.0419,Image: 532164765, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS, DIRECT SALES ONLY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE IN CAPTION – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews / Avalon
, Los Angeles, CA – 02/15/16 -Universal Music Group’s 2016 Grammy After Party -PICTURED: Michelle Branch -PHOTO by: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com -VIF62750 Editorial – Rights Managed Image – Please contact www.startraksphoto.com for licensing fee Startraks Photo New York, NY Image may not be published in any way that is or might be deemed defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification or question you may have. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image, and where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or statutory damages. Featuring: Michelle Branch Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 15 Feb 2016 Credit: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com 
, Los Angeles, CA – 02/15/16 -Universal Music Group’s 2016 Grammy After Party -PICTURED: Michelle Branch -PHOTO by: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com -VIF62756 Editorial – Rights Managed Image – Please contact www.startraksphoto.com for licensing fee Startraks Photo New York, NY Image may not be published in any way that is or might be deemed defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification or question you may have. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image, and where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or statutory damages. Featuring: Michelle Branch Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 15 Feb 2016 Credit: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com 
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