Kevin Costner, the renowned actor, is currently embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, as their divorce takes a contentious turn. The couple, who were married for 18 years, filed for divorce in May, citing “irreconcilable differences.” However, their growing animosity towards each other is becoming increasingly evident in their court documents.
Recently, Christine, a former fashion designer, made headlines when she requested an astonishing sum of $248,000 per month in child support, along with full payment of their children’s private school tuition, extracurricular activities, and healthcare expenses. She argues that this amount is necessary to maintain their accustomed lifestyle. It is important to note that their prenuptial agreement initially granted $38,000 per month in child support, and Christine is already entitled to a $1.4 million settlement. Although she did not request spousal support, Kevin criticizes her child support demand, claiming that it is intended for her personal expenses.
Kevin’s legal team responded to Christine’s filing, describing her request as “exaggerated and unsupported.” They stated that providing the children with more than the bare necessities does not require excessive spending that primarily benefits the supported parent. Kevin also accused Christine of allocating expenses, such as a private trainer, unallocated credit card expenses, and her plastic surgery, to the children without justification. He emphasized that these expenses belong to Christine alone and not the children. Furthermore, Kevin argued that Christine should accurately allocate credit card expenses between herself and the children, but she makes no effort to do so.
Ultimately, Kevin’s legal team determined that the guideline monthly child support based on his available cash flow is $123,620. Previous court documents revealed that Kevin earned a reported $19,517,0641 in 2022, while the family’s expenses, excluding taxes, amounted to $6,645,285.
Kevin and Christine began dating in 2000 and exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony at Kevin’s Aspen, Colorado ranch in 2004. They have three children together: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. This is Kevin’s second divorce, as he was previously married to actress Cindy Costner (née Silva) from 1978 to 1994. He has three children with Cindy: Annie, 39, Lily, 36, and Joe, 35. Additionally, Kevin has a son named Liam, 26, with Bridget Rooney, whom he dated after his divorce from Cindy.
Kevin Costner’s divorce battle with Christine Baumgartner continues to intensify, with both parties making strong arguments regarding child support. The exposure of their personal finances has shed light on the extent of the disagreement. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the court will decide on this contentious matter.