Kevin Costner’s Ex-wife Says ‘Fight Is Far from Over’ & Demands He Pay $800K amid Final Court Decision, Source
- Kevin Costner recently won in court against his ex, Christine Baumgartner, in a custody battle.
- A source revealed that Baumgartner, who was shocked by the win, said the fight was far from over.
- Costner also opened up about his and Baumgartner’s divorce for the first time.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner in Santa Monica, California, on February 27, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Kevin Costner and his ex, Christine Baumgartner, were in court for two days for a custody battle. The pair, who were married for 18 years, are divorcing after Baumgartner filed for divorce from Costner in May 2023.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner at Andrews Air Force Base on July 21, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The former model and Costner appeared in court for two days because Baumgartner had filed a request to have the actor increase his child support payments. They both took the stand during the hearings.
Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner and children Grace Avery Costner, Hayes Logan Costner, and Cayden Wyatt Costner in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
After two days of testimony, the judge ruled that Costner pay Baumgartner $63,209 per month in child support. The actor won in court as he had been temporarily paying $129,755 per month. His ex lost as she wanted this amount increased by $31,837 to reach $161,592.
A source close to Baumgartner said she was shocked when the judge slashed her child support payments. Everyone in court reportedly looked shocked when the judge made the ruling, including Costner.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The insider added that Baumgartner described the ruling as a complete joke. Baumgartner, who is more than disappointed by the ruling, allegedly said her ex and his attorneys made her look shallow and appear as a greedy gold digger.
However, with the judge denying her request, the designer has moved to a $40,000-a-month four-bedroom apartment in Montecito. The apartment is near a wooded hiking trail.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner in Los Angeles on August 1, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
The designer, who still has more matters to solve in court with Costner, reportedly said if only the actor could get over his anger and revenge, he would see how slashing her child support payments would hurt their kids. Baumgartner and Costner are parents to three kids, Cayden Costner, 16, and Hayes Costner, 14, and Grace Costner, 13.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner in Santa Barbara, California, on February 7, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
What Are Baumgartner’s Other Demands, and Where Does She Live Now?
Costner and Baumgartner are scheduled in court on September 6, 2023, to hear who will take care of the attorney bills during this divorce. The mom of three is asking Costner to pay $575,000 to her lawyers and $280,000 to take care of expert fees.
Christine Baumgartner in Madrid, Spain on May 5, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
However, the actor has already said he will pay his own attorney fees. The 68-year-old has already garnered $664,000 in legal fees as of July 2023, according to the documents presented in court in early September 2023.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner in Madrid, Spain on May 5, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
The scheduled court hearings come after a source said Baumgartner is angry at Costner because he “is ripping her apart from her community.” The source added the designer feels that the actor is punishing her. However, Baumgartner isn’t feeling defeated. “Christine said the fight is far from over,” the source noted.
Christine Baumgartner and Grace Avery Costner in Paris, France on January 15, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
The 49-year-old wanted her child support payments to be increased so that she and her kids could move into a beach house. However, with the judge denying her request, the designer has moved to a $40,000-a-month four-bedroom apartment in Montecito. The apartment is near a wooded hiking trail.
Christine Baumgartner in Santa Barbara, California on May 4, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Baumgartner, Costner, and their kids used to live together in a $145 million lavish California mansion until July 2023, when the designer was ordered by the court to vacate it. The designer and their kids now live in the Montecito home, which has a pool, a manicured garden, a jacuzzi, and luxury fittings.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner in Madrid, Spain on May 5, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Costner also spoke after the child custody hearing. He said divorce was a horrible place to be, but that was where he and his ex were at the moment. The “Yellowstone” star said the divorce was so bad because it placed someone he loves on the other side.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner on February 2, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Costner confessed that he still has love for Baumgartner. The actor added that, just like everyone else involved in the divorce process, he was hopeful things would be resolved quickly and that he and his ex would co-parent their kids well.