Kevin Costner’s estranged wife says the ruling that slashed her child support payments to $63,000 a month is a “complete joke” and has vowed to fight on before going back to court on Wednesday over the joint court bill The couple negotiated a settlement of $1.5 million.
Baumgartner, 49, and Costner, 68, face court to find out who will foot the bill for their legal fees – with the mother of three asking the actor to raise $575,000 to pay her lawyers, and an additional $280,000 to cover expert witness costs.
Costner, meanwhile, has racked up a $664,000 bill by the end of July, according to figures released in court last week, but said he intends to pay his own fees.
Tomorrow’s appearance comes on the heels of a two-day evidentiary hearing on child support in which Baumgartner asked for her monthly payments to be increased to $161,000 from the $129,000 she had been enjoying.
Kevin Costner’s estranged wife Christine Baumgartner has called last week’s court ruling slashing her child support payments to $63,000 a “complete joke.”
previously revealed that Baumgartner, 49, moved into the luxury four-bedroom home on Friday – after a judge in Santa Barbara, California, reduced her child support payments
Opinion poll
Do you support Christine’s bid for more money?
- Yes – she deserves 3 votes
- No. It’s greedy and profitable, 69 votes
But in a shocking twist, Judge Thomas Anderle reduced the amount to $63,000 – leaving the mother of three stunned, according to a close friend.
Speaking to , the source said: “Christine is shocked.” She said even Kevin looked shocked. Everyone looked shocked.
“To say Christine is disappointed is an understatement. She described the verdict as a complete joke.’
The friend added: “Christine said they (Kevin and his lawyers) painted the picture of this shallow, greedy gold digger and that if Kevin could get over his anger and revenge, he would see how much harm it was doing to their children.”
“She said Kevin was tearing her away from her community by making it impossible for her to live in the close-knit neighborhood.
“Christine said it was never about the beach view, and Kevin knows that.” He knows how much the community means to Christine and that he is punishing her in this way.
“Christine said the fight is far from over.”
In court, Baumgartner had argued that her new $40,000-a-month Montecito rental wasn’t good enough for her family – and said the children needed beach access to maintain their lifestyle with her.
She also complained about the guest accommodations in her lavish new home, saying her sons Cayden, 16, and Hayes, 14, have to share a bathroom, while daughter Grace, 13, “has to share a bathroom with the house.”
The mother of three had temporarily received a monthly payment of $129,000 and wanted to increase it to $161,000
Baumgartner and Costner have been battling in court since May, when she suddenly filed for divorce, leaving the actor “blindsided.”
In July, Baumgartner was ordered to vacate the former couple’s $145 million luxury California mansion
During cross-examination, Baumgartner was grilled about whether she intended to get a job to support herself and was forced to admit that she had only “tested out” the idea so far.
According to her friend, Baumgartner thinks that’s unfair – and says she already has a full-time job as a mother to the couple’s three children.
The insider said: “Christine said Kevin was under the illusion that she wanted to avoid the divorce so she never had to work a day in her life.”
“However, he seems to have forgotten that she already has a full-time job, being a mother to her three children.”
“She said if anyone is playing games and attacking characters, it’s Kevin, not her.” The source added: “Christine said Kevin is upset because she’s happy and has moved on, while he’s trying to push the false narrative suppress that she is superficial because she wants to maintain the lifestyle to which she and her children are already accustomed.”
“Christine said being a full-time mother pales in comparison to being a famous actress.”
Baumgartner and Costner have been battling in court since May, when she suddenly filed for divorce, leaving the actor “blindsided.”
Since then, the couple have repeatedly clashed in court – primarily over the question of where the mother of three will live, but also over their prenuptial agreement, which gives Baumgartner a one-time lump sum of $1.5 million and the first year of mortgage repayment for a property of its own value up to $1 million.
She is now fighting to have the document declared null and void, saying in court papers that she felt pressured to sign it shortly before the estranged couple’s wedding 18 years ago.
The mother of three said her new home does not offer the same standard of living as the house she shared with Costner
Although the home has a pool house that can accommodate guests, Baumgartner complained in court that visitors “would have to enter.” [to the main house] use the shower
Baumgartner was seen driving to her new home after the court decision on Friday evening. But when asked in court whether he would trade places with Baumgartner, he burst out laughing and quipped: “That’s tricky!”
There will be a court case and a decision on the marriage contract and possible maintenance payments in November.
Baumgartner is demanding Costner also pay her legal fees for that clash, with his lawyer Laura Wasser telling the court last week that the mother of three is “accumulating a war chest to sue Kevin.”
Much of last week’s evidentiary hearing focused on “reasonable needs,” with Wasser arguing that Baumgartner overstated her children’s needs.
Her attorney, John Rydell, said Baumgartner needed the enormous payment of $161,000 a month to rent a home on the same street as Costner, where the rental value can be as high as $150,000 a month.
He also said she needed to be able to rent property equivalent to Costner’s 160,000-acre Aspen ranch, describing it as having three homes, riverfront and toboggan runs lit with baseball lights and music playing over in hear loudspeakers hidden in the trees.
Costner’s main home in upscale Carpinteria, California, is more of an “experience” than a home, she told the court, with five properties within the compound – one with the main house, another as a guest house and a third with an office converted into an office.
One of the two empty lots contains a garden, while the other serves as a play space for children and a setting for families for parties and Thanksgiving dinner.
Costner and Baumgartner pictured during their wedding in September 2004 at his ranch in Aspen
Costner’s lawyer accused Baumgartner of making “unreasonable” financial demands
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
Baumgartner said the main house and guest house have direct beach access, while the family home also has an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific and is decorated in a California coastal style.
Her new property, just over three miles from her old home, has no ocean views or beach access, and the driveway, seen in photos obtained by , opens into a tree-lined alley.
Costner, who appeared on the witness stand twice, admitted he wouldn’t swap houses with his ex, but said that’s because his home for over 20 years has been “the place where I raised my children.” Their hands are in the stone.’
He also said his cash flow was uncertain after Yellowstone ended and much of his money was tied up in the four-part Horizon film series.
The 68-year-old finished filming the second part of “Horizon” in Utah in June and said he hopes the first part will be released later this year.
The court also heard of Baumgartner’s expenses, including an $18,000-a-month clothing bill and a $3,500 beauty care bill – both reported by Costner’s forensic accountant Tracy Katz.
Baumgartner also admitted accepting a $20,000 cash gift from family friend Josh Connor, who she denied under oath was her boyfriend and said she had half of hers mother, who had been receiving $5,000 in monthly payments from Costner.
The other half has since been returned to Connor.