Kevin Costner has scored a dramatic victory in his divorce battle with his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner after a Santa Barbara judge cut their child support payments to $63,000 a month – less than half of the $129,000 they currently receive receives, and significantly less than the $161,000 she wanted.
The verdict came at the end of a two-day evidentiary hearing in which both sides outlined what they believed was an “appropriate” amount of child support and why.
In the final hour of the hearing, Costner took the stand for a second time, telling the court that his biggest fear was being forced to take jobs he didn’t want if Baumgartner was awarded an “excessive” level of child support would.
He also apologized to his wife of 18 years, saying: “I want to help, but the thought of things getting blown up to the point where I can’t do what I want to do… “
“Somehow we didn’t make it in this unusual world and I’m sorry.”
There will be a trial in November regarding the prenuptial agreement and her application for spousal support.
The 68-year-old star took the witness stand on Friday morning and was questioned by his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner’s legal team
The hearing concerns the future of their three children: sons Cayden (15), Hayes (14) and daughter Grace (13).
The hearing was held at the request of Baumgartner’s team, which scored its own victory in June when child support was temporarily set at $129,000.
However, this was overturned by Judge Thomas Anderle, who ruled that her request for child support, totaling $161,000 per month, was excessive and beyond what the three Costner children would “reasonably need.”
She had argued that her new $40,000-a-month property was not comparable to Costner’s $73 million beach house and that the children should spend their time with her in a $150,000-a-month beach house that she owned once wanted to rent your six-month rental contract has expired.
Baumgartner also complained that her new property had no ocean view and that the standard of living in the new house was not comparable to that of the marital home.
A move back to the beach is now unlikely unless she wins a second trial in November in which her team will argue she should receive spousal support – even though she signed a prenup giving her a one-off lump sum payment of $1. 5 million US dollars has already been received.
Costner appeared stunned when she heard the verdict, while a devastated Baumgartner stood up when she heard the news and quickly consulted with her legal team.
Both slipped out of court via a back exit.
The dramatic verdict came at the end of a day in which Costner testified twice – first as a witness for his wife and later for himself.
He told the court: “My biggest concern is that the court is asking me to pay maintenance in excess of the reasonable needs of the children, that it is not what they need, but what Christine needs.”
“I could run out of money very quickly, and that could force me to take jobs I don’t want to do and work later hours than I want to work.”
He added: “My houses in Aspen and here, I could lose them.” I’ve spent my whole life building them as places for myself, my family and friends. I didn’t get good grades, but to share, the column always said “A.”
Much of the financial discussion revolved around the hit show “Yellowstone,” with Costner telling the court he was in negotiations for a sixth season, but Paramount pulled out after failing to meet his salary demands.
He also told the court that his current Horizon film project, in which he has invested $23 million of his own money, was a risk, but that he ultimately hoped to make an additional $12 million in salary from all four films to earn a share of the profits. He couldn’t say when or how much that would be since none of the films have been released yet.
Baumgartner had claimed that he was spending $240,000 a month on living expenses, but forensic accountant Tracy Katz pointed out that much of the spending in the calculations included her own expenses.
According to Katz, who works for Costner, Baumgartner’s share of that total included $18,000 for medical bills, $18,855 for clothing and $3,377 for beauty treatments.
In addition, according to Katz, the 49-year-old was responsible for the lion’s share of cash withdrawn from ATMs, amounting to $8,886.
Costner’s testimony followed a morning marked by arguments over numbers and whether or not the actor’s tax debts had been taken into account.
At one point, the actor was seen nodding in agreement as his lawyer Susan Wiesner got forensic accountant Jill Bombino to accept that his tax payments had not been deducted from her figures.
Rydell claimed this was because Costner failed to forward his tax returns to his wife’s team.
Her team says his fees for the Paramount show should be part of his overall income, while his team says it shouldn’t be – referring to it as past rather than future income.
Costner cut a laconic figure in the booth, frequently cracking jokes and eliciting laughter from onlookers, but became serious when the discussion focused on the revenue he had earned from Yellowstone.
When shown a breakdown of his fees from the shows, he said, “I was worried about the first three years. ‘I thought I made $5 million.’
When told he would have made more, he deadpanned: “Oh, good.” “I thought we had to go on a treasure hunt to find it.”
Costner told the court that he originally agreed to produce the fifth, sixth and seventh seasons of the western series and negotiated a fee of $12 million for each season.
But the fifth season was divided into seasons 5A and 5B – each with eight episodes. He told the court that he changed his schedule for filming “5B” and even postponed filming of his film “Horizon” to accommodate it – for which he demanded a “$10 million advance fee.” , which was put into the film budget.
But when he was ready to shoot last fall, work on the scripts for “5B” had not yet been completed, leaving a gap in his schedule.
Costner says negotiations for the sixth season continued in February and again in May over money and “creative differences,” but he says Paramount ultimately backed out after asking for $12 million to film this season had.
He said: “It’s a little disappointing that the No.1 show on television isn’t producing. “I’ll probably go to court. “I’m disappointed with the production.”
The conversation also turned to Costner’s four-part film series “Horizon,” which he financed with $20 million and in which he owns a third share.
Horizons One and Two are complete and Costner said he expected a fee of $12 million for each film, but has deferred that payment for now to avoid overstretching the film’s budget.
Asked why he didn’t just pay the $24 million he was owed, Costner said, “I would have liked to have. I think anyone would, but I did what I thought was right.”
Asked if he expects to make a profit on Horizon after its release, he drawled: “Boy, I want it to work.”
Costner said during his testimony that he would “probably go to court” over the hit series Yellowstone
Costner frequently joked, eliciting laughter from viewers, but became serious when the discussion focused on the revenue he had made from Yellowstone
Costner’s lawyer accused Baumgartner of making “unreasonable” financial demands
His attorney, Laura Wasser, gave a brief opening statement.
In it, she accused Baumgartner of making “unreasonable” financial demands and challenged the idea that the Costner children care about the ocean view and what happens at their father’s Aspen ranch when they’re not there lies.
Wasser told the court that the Costner family “didn’t live like movie stars,” adding that the children didn’t wear designer clothes, didn’t drive expensive cars and attended regular public schools.
She told the court that Costner no longer has his own private jet, adding: “But even in LA, I’ve never seen such a high child support award.”
Wasser and Costner say Baumgartner plans to live on child support payments even though he has already received a $1.5 million payout – an amount set aside in the former couple’s prenuptial agreement in the event of a divorce.
She also described Baumgartner’s much-maligned new home as “stunning,” noting that it has features like a hot tub, which Costner’s property does not.
Finally, Wasser called Baumgartner’s demands “excessive” and noted that there will be a trial in November over the prenuptial agreement and her request for spousal support.
Both Costner and Baumgartner arrived early on the second day, and Costner slipped in through a side door wearing a dark blue tailored suit. Baumgartner wore black pants and a white blouse.
Costner’s new role comes amid his ongoing divorce battle, which has seen the couple fight over child support payments – he wants to pay $60,000 a month while she demands $161,592.
On the opening day of the two-day hearing, the court heard that Costner earns $1,468,953 a month and lives on a sprawling beachfront estate with five properties within it that Baumgartner said is worth between $75 million and $95 million.
She currently rents a luxury home for $40,000 a month, but says it’s not good enough for her family and would like to trade up for a home near her old home for up to $150,000 a month when she gets the Receiving maintenance payments for their children can be bumped.
During her testimony, Baumgartner described the family’s lavish lifestyle — including Christmas parties where the couple hauled 40 tons of snow to Costner’s 160,000-acre ranch for sunny vacations in Santa Barbara and Aspen. Additionally, the family reportedly spends $40,000 a month on flowers and gifts.
But things got nervous when the topic of Josh Connor – a family friend with whom she traveled to Hawaii last month – came up.
Baumgartner’s attorney spoke about the family’s lavish lifestyle in Aspen, Colorado – describing how the ranch has toboggan runs that are lit at night and music plays through the trees, as well as several canoes and fishing lakes
Costner has accused her of having a relationship with recently divorced Connor. As a result, Baumgartner had to deny that the couple was an item on the witness stand and had to try to provide an explanation for two envelopes of cash he gave her – each containing $10,000.
One was given to her mother, who had been receiving $5,000 monthly payments on her mortgage until the separation.
Baumgartner says she kept the other one at home and eventually gave it back to Connor “because I don’t need the money right now.”
She told the court that he had thrown the envelopes into her handbag after she confided in him that she was worried about her finances because of the ongoing divorce dispute.
The mother of three was also forced to admit that she borrowed $80,000 from her brother to pay the first installment of rent on their new home, but blamed it on Costner, who, she said, previously had cash deducted from the current maintenance payments for her child.
She said she has since refunded her brother the money, but when asked by Susan Wiesner – one of Costner’s lawyers – whether she planned to take a job or whether she actually planned to pay her bills with the child support she was awarded , she hesitated.
The 49-year-old also became sharp when Wiesner pointed out that she had bought her parents a BMW SUV worth $50,000 each at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 and around the same time she had bought a membership in the Montecito for herself and her family Country Club had acquired.
Luxury golf club membership fees start at $100,000 but can cost up to $275,000 for the top tier.
Baumgartner had previously explained in detail why their new place of residence does not offer their children a “comparable” lifestyle to that of their father.
Adjusting a pair of white-framed glasses and speaking confidently, she led the court through a series of photos of Costner’s Carpinteria property — including images showing the bleached wood deck, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a chicken coop and two guest houses.
Interior shots showed a decor fitting for what she described as “California living,” with colorful striped carpets, tan leather sofas and a huge marble table with dark wood chairs overlooking the ocean.
Baumgartner, who introduced herself to the court as “Costner,” also talked about the family’s athletic lifestyle, which includes regular surfing, fishing, diving and volleyball.
These include a boat belonging to their 16-year-old son Cayden and a special room where the family’s large collection of surfboards, wetsuits and paddle boards are stored.
Baumgartner discussed her two most recent Hawaii vacations in March and July with Josh Connor — who she described as a “family friend.” They are pictured in Hawaii in July
Costner has accused her of having a relationship with recently divorced Connor. As a result, Baumgartner had to deny that the couple was an item on the witness stand and had to try to provide an explanation for two envelopes of cash he gave her – each containing $10,000
The Carpinteria property consists of five separate properties, one of which is a former neighbor’s house acquired in 2016 and is now used as a guest house, as well as a place to sit by the fire and roast marshmallows and hold family gatherings.
In his opening statement, Baumgartner’s attorney, John Rydell, noted the staggering sums at stake, telling the court that Costner was raking in more than $1.4 million a month.
During his deposition two weeks ago, the Dances With Wolves star put his monthly living expenses at $240,000, but doesn’t want to pay his ex more than $60,000 a month.
In the latest deposition, Katz claims that most of that $240,000 is money that Baumgartner spent on himself, including $18,000 on medical bills, $18,855 on clothing and $3,377 on beauty treatments. She is also reportedly responsible for the majority of her $8,886 ATM withdrawals.
Rydell also talked about the family’s lavish lifestyle in Aspen, Colorado – describing the ranch as having toboggan runs that are lit at night and where music plays through the trees, as well as several canoes and fishing lakes.
According to Rydell, the property is currently renting for an eye-watering $50,000 per day.