On May 1, 2023, Christine Baumgartner, who had been married to renowned actor Kevin Costner for 18 years, filed for divorce.
The singer of “Yellowstone” said that the former handbag designer mismanages his money in July 2023. She allegedly used credit cards to make cash withdrawals from the family home’s employees and make personal purchases.
The celebrity’s wife is believed to have planned it long before the divorce was filed, according to the actor’s lawyer.
On July 13, 2023, Costner filed documents claiming that his wife had “a disturbing proclivity” to take his belongings without his consent or knowledge in the months preceding and after their divorce. The mother of three allegedly bought a pricey car months before the couple’s divorce, according to the actor.
The famous person claimed it was a weird decision because they had never purchased a car before. According to the prenuptial agreement between the former marriage, Baumgartner would be entitled to keep her personal car in the event of a divorce.
Additionally, it is believed that the former fashion designer has a list of things she plans to bring, including kitchenware and artwork.
Despite the actor’s accusation that his client’s wife is “robbing him blind,” Costner’s lawyer noted that she has enough of money to spend thanks to the $1.5 million lump sum he has already given her.
The new documents state that Baumgartner was asked to sign a statement promising not to steal anything from the house before departing, but she refused.
According to court documents, the couple’s family accountant submitted her the 2022 income and cost report in June 2023 to help her reach her goal of obtaining $248,000 per month in child support from Costner.
SANTA MONICA, CA – February 27, 2022. Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner arriving at the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, February 27, 2022.
According to the newly discovered records, Baumgartner was requested to sign a statement before leaving the residence vowing not to steal anything, but she refused.
She requested the 2022 income and expense report from the couple’s family accountant in June 2023, per court records, to help her achieve her objective of receiving $248,000 per month in child support from Costner.
The guidelines state that Baumgartner’s spouse will be required to pay $152,681 in child support each month starting in 2022. However, the actor must pay $332,264 every month, or 60% of what their family spent, in order to maintain their children’s standard of living.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood,
On March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California, Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner attended the 94th Annual Academy Awards ceremony. via Getty Images
The money will still fall short of what is needed to give the kids the lifestyle they are used to, according to the former fashion designer. She is asking the court to compel Costner to make monthly payments of $248,000. During testimony during a recent court appearance, Baumgartner sobbed.
Costner and Baumgartner attended a child support hearing on August 31, 2023, in a Santa Barbara court. The actor’s ranch in Aspen, Colorado, where their kids spent the summers, was brought up on one occasion when the latter was questioned.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 09: Actor Kevin Costner, his wife Christine Baumgartner and their children arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “McFarland, USA” at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California.
According to a witness, when the star’s estranged wife was questioned about it, she reportedly started crying and looked for a tissue. She became so upset that the court had to order a five-minute break after she took a 30-second respite.
The insider claimed that Costner responded by drinking water and keeping a fixed gaze on his wife. John Rydell, Baumgartner’s attorney, claimed in court that the extravagant lifestyle is “in their [the children’s] DNA at this point.”
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: (L-R) Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 30th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 27, 2022 in West Hollywood, California.
Then he discussed the family’s homes and favourite sports. When showing the court the photo proof, Baumgartner grew agitated and remarked, “It’s so much more than this — it’s an experience,” but things didn’t work out for her.
Speaking to the media after the judge decided in his favour on the child support issue, Costner said that since he and his wife had been together for such a long time, there was “no winner” in their relationship. He believed that life quickly fell apart; one moment you are at the top, the next.
The actor is confident that he and Baumgartner will be able to work out co-parenting because she is a “incredible mom.” He will continue to pay the same amount in child support each month, which will now be $63,209.
One fan said in response to an article praising the star on his success: “The star recognises that he has duties that he cannot escape, but what he wants to do is figure out how to spend more time with the children to help them cope with the divorce.”
On September 2, 2023, a reader comments on Kevin Costner winning the child support dispute with his wife, Christine Baumgartner. Source: Facebook/Daily Mail
Another person praised Costner’s victory on Facebook, writing that they were “glad” the “Gold Digger” didn’t succeed in her goals. A Daily Mail reader speculated that Baumgartner must have found it difficult to “recognise her own stupidity.”
While one person said, “I am grateful justice prevailed for him,” another wrote, “I am grateful justice prevailed for him.” The person who felt the Costner’s ex gave up living luxuriously for nothing claimed he wasn’t cheating but rather labouring to maintain her and their children’s lifestyle.