Kevin Costner alleges that his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, put expensive personal items on his employees’ credit cards without his knowledge.
The 68-year-old Yellowstone star claims allegations by Baumgartner, 49, included a “car, cash advances and legal fees” in documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Baumgartner reportedly charged Susan Wiesner’s law firm “additional attorney fees from an employee’s credit card traditionally used for the Costner family’s house expenses and paid by the defendant” after she “filed her RFO for attorney fees and expenses.” had, according to the notification documents.
It is also alleged that Christine – who filed for divorce from Kevin after 18 years of marriage – took “cash advances” on a number of credit cards issued “not to her but to employees” without Costner’s “knowledge or consent”.
Costner also claims that while the couple have always “leased their cars,” Baumgartner recently bought “an expensive vehicle for personal use.”
The Latest: Kevin Costner claims his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner charged expensive personal items to his employees’ credit cards without his knowledge; They can be seen in 2022
The purchase came ahead of their split in April, which the actor says suggests his ex “had been planning her exit for a long time” when she told him she wanted to end their marriage.
According to Costner’s attorneys, the couple’s premarital agreement entitles her to keep her own vehicle in the event of a divorce.
Baumgartner filed for divorce from Costner in May, citing irreconcilable differences and giving April 11 as the date of separation.
This comes after Costner was unable to show up for a court date this week due to a pre-planned vacation with his three children as his estranged wife was awarded $129,000 a month in alimony during their ugly divorce war.
He previously stated that he would not be able to attend a court hearing this Wednesday, July 12, because he is on a previously planned trip to British Columbia, Canada, with his children, according to People.
According to the website, the holiday north of the border with his younger three children – daughter Grace, 13, and sons Hayes, 14, and Cayden, 16 – “had been planned for months” before the court date was recently postponed.
Kevin and Christine share custody of the children, as the actor’s legal team explained in the documents, “The children are teenagers and can move back and forth between his home and Christine’s home once she has found a new place to live.”
The actor also has three grown children – Annie, 39, Lily, 36, and Joe, 35 – with ex-wife Cindy SIlva, and 26-year-old Liam with ex-partner Bridget Rooney.
This comes after it was revealed he could face six-figure monthly payments after a judge ruled on an interim child support arrangement.
The actor was sentenced to pay his estranged wife a whopping $129,755 a month in child support payments.
That means the amount is well over double what Costner originally offered his ex, but also just over half what she asked for.
Allegations: The 68-year-old Yellowstone star claims that Baumgartner’s allegations, 49, included a “car, cash advances and legal fees” in documents obtained by Us Weekly; Pictured 2014
New car: Costner also claims his ex recently bought “an expensive vehicle for personal use.” According to Costner’s attorneys, the couple’s premarital agreement entitles her to keep her vehicle in the event of a divorce; Pictured 2013
The decision comes after Baumgartner was ordered to vacate Costner’s mansion by July 31.
The details of the couple’s prenuptial agreement reportedly stipulated that she had to move out within 30 days of either party filing for divorce, a deadline she missed by being the first to file for divorce.
She previously said in court filings that she would leave the property on August 31 after a court date originally scheduled for July 12. However, it is unclear whether this hearing is still pending.
In the filing, Baumgartner agreed to vacate the premises at the end of August, as long as Costner “complies with any assistance and fee orders the court issues on July 12,” according to TMZ.
The latest decision sees both Costner and his ex splitting the cost of their children’s health care equally.
They will also halve the cost of the children’s expensive private school fees, as well as their extracurricular activities, which include sports.
Baumgartner had tried to avoid paying those expenses in full, having previously requested on her files that her ex cover them in full.
The $129,755 figure isn’t set in stone, and both Costner and Baumgartner will have an opportunity to contest it at a future hearing in hopes of moving them closer to their desired support amount.
However, TMZ notes that the final figure differs little from the original determination.
Costner also incurred additional costs after the judge ordered him to pay $200,000 for his estranged wife’s legal fees and an additional $100,000 for forensic costs.
Bond: It comes after Costner was unable to attend a court date on Wednesday, July 12, due to a pre-planned vacation with his three children in British Columbia, Canada, according to People; He will be seen in February
Family first: According to the website, the holiday north of the border with his younger three children – daughter Grace, 13, and sons Hayes, 14, and Cayden, 16 – had been “planned for months” before the court date was recently postponed; Kevin and his children were spotted out in Hollywood with his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner in February 2015
Big spend: According to TMZ, Costner will be paying his estranged wife over $129,000 a month, which is a little over half of what she was asking; seen in 2013
The “Waterworld” star’s forensic accountant previously claimed that Baumgartner spent more than $100,000 on cosmetic procedures and that those earlier expenses were included in the amount ($248,000) she was claiming for child support.
His payments are due on the first of each month, with any payments already made since the beginning of July being credited to his account.
Baumgartner also requested that the court order Costner to process the payments by automatic wire transfer, presumably to ensure they would not default, although that request was denied.
Costner is represented by celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser, who reportedly served as the inspiration for Laura Dern’s lawyer character in Noah Baumbach’s critically acclaimed film Marriage Story, which earned Dern an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Wasser has defended the validity of the prenuptial agreement in court, and it appears the judge is inclined to approve it, even though the matter is undecided.
A hearing on the validity of the document will not take place until November, and Baumgartner is expected to continue to challenge it.
Additional court documents obtained by People also say Kevin wants his estranged wife to pay his legal fees.
He has ordered Christine to pay his $99,225 attorney fees and the court date for the matter is set for August 2.
TMZ previously reported that Baumgartner will also be forced to repay her $1.5 million paid by Costner if the judge finds the prenup is valid, and she will also reportedly be forced to pay his attorney’s fees for to pay for the defense of the document.
Baumgartner previously wrote in court filings that she was reluctant to leave home without a plan and funding, if only for the sake of her children, who she doesn’t want to move multiple times.
She claimed, “Kevin wants me to rent.” [a] place without [a] Financial plan available. However, [I] We have to think of our three children. Committing to renting this is against your best interest [I] may not be able to afford, especially since this would ultimately lead to several moves.
Splitting in half: The couple will split the cost of their children’s health care, private school tuition, sports and extracurricular activities in half; seen in LA in 2015
Ugly Divorce: The couple tied the knot in September 2004 after four years of dating. Baumgartner filed for divorce in May after 18 years of marriage; Seen together in NYC in 2014
“My goal was and is to ensure as much stability as possible for our children, which includes providing the right resources and plans.” [I] can determine [a] “We must provide them with a stable home rather than meeting temporary and inconsistent housing arrangements,” she continued.
In addition to being the main breadwinner, Costner was the only person making money recently, and Baumgartner states in her filing that she has no income.
The Yellowstone star was willing to help his estranged wife move as per their prenuptial agreement, but it was a relatively paltry sum considering their lifestyle.
Costner reportedly paid her $1 million to find a new home, but given California’s high real estate prices — especially when trying to stay close to Costner — she might have had trouble finding something that matched it was the luxury they and their children are used to.
According to RadarOnline, Costner deposited $1 million into Baumgartner’s bank account to get her to move out of his mansion, and he said he gave her $200,000 as part of their prenuptial agreement early in their marriage.
However, Baumgartner has not touched the money, saying it would strip her of her ability to contest the validity of her marriage contract.