Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner make an appearance on a red carpet ahead of their controversial divorce. Getty Images
- In a filing filed Monday, Kevin Costner asked his estranged wife to pay back nearly $100,000 in legal fees.
- Costner’s lawyers say his ex skyrocketed his bill because he refused to leave his home after filing for divorce.
- Christine Baumgartner was eventually ordered to vacate the apartment by the end of the month.
When Kevin Costner’s wife, with whom she’s split, refused to leave the “Yellowstone” actor’s home after filing for divorce in May, Costner asked the court to enforce a clause in their prenup that she forced to move out – and won.
Now he wants his money back.
In a filing Monday, Insider-verified, Costner’s legal team is demanding that Christine Baumgartner pay $99,225 plus $29 for a filing fee to offset the cost of taking legal action against her to get her to buy the multimillionaire’s home in Santa Barbara after a judge took sides with Costner and ordered Baumgartner to find a new apartment by the end of the month.
“The defendant was required to file an order to enforce his right under the PMA to sole possession and control of his separate residence. The defendant prevailed,” the file says. “Therefore, the defendant is entitled to recover its fees and costs of enforcing the PMA against the plaintiff.”
In other words — because Costner went through the legal troubles of getting Baumgartner out and the courts ruled in his favor, she owes him the related legal fees he incurred, his team argued.
Costner’s application has not yet been decided.
In a preliminary ruling Tuesday, Costner was ordered to pay child support of $129,755 a month, as well as an upfront payment of $200,000 in legal fees and $100,000 in forensic costs incurred by both parties during the divorce. The advance funds can be redistributed in court.
Attorneys for Costner and Baumgartner did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
Both parties are due to appear in court on Wednesday.
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