The divorce proceedings between Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner aren’t getting any less contentious as they go on. Baumgartner filed for divorce from the Yellowstone star in early May after 18 years of marriage, and Costner filed a response soon after. But, in the weeks since, it has become clear that the divorce is not going to be a quick, amicable split, and the former couple is now disputing how much support Baumgartner should receive from Costner.
On June 29, People reported that Costner claimed in a filing that Baumgartner’s request for nearly $250,000 in monthly child support is “inflated” with nearly $200,000 per month in her own plastic surgery fees. The actor also claimed that she included some of her other expenses as well, including her personal trainer. Read on to find out more.
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Costner and Baumgartner, a former handbag designer, were married for 18 years before their separation. During their marriage, the couple welcomed three children together: 16-year-old Cayden, 14-year-old Hayes, and 13-year-old Grace. Costner was previously married to Cindy Silva from 1978 to 1994, and they have three children, as well: Annie, Lily, and Joe Costner, who are all adults. He has another adult son, Liam Costner, with Bridget Rooney.
Costner’s divorce from Silva also made headlines. According to People, she received an estimated $80 million in settlement fees, which set a record at the time.
When Baumgartner filed for divorce in May, she cited irreconcilable differences as the reason, as reported by TMZ. Costner subsequently filed his response. Both parents asked for joint custody of their children. Baumgartner did not request spousal support, but Costner’s response referenced their prenuptial agreement, saying, “Spousal support to be payable to petitioner pursuant to the terms of the parties’ Premarital Agreement.”
Regarding their divorce, Costner released a statement that read (via The Hollywood Reporter), “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action. We ask that his, Christine’s and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”
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On Friday, June 16, Baumgartner filed a request for order in the California Supreme Court in which she asked for “$248,000 total for all three children” monthly, as reported by People. She also asked that her ex pay for private school tuition, extracurricular activities, and healthcare for their teenagers. Baumgartner’s documents claimed that the $248K “is less than the amount needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle.” In the documents, Baumgartner lists herself as unemployed with no income.
Costner had stated he would pay $38,000 per month, along with healthcare, and “100 percent of certain child related costs, including private school tuition, books, fees and uniforms and school trips, children’s sports, camps and other agreed upon extracurricular activities.”
The “accustomed lifestyle” that Baumgartner’s filing mentions is detailed further in the documents, which list Costner’s income for 2022 at nearly $20 million, while their expenses (not including taxes) are said to be over $6 million. As reported by People, some of the family’s expenses include regular trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Aspen, upkeep of their properties that adds up to $2 million per year, and the hiring of chefs and caterers.
Responding to Baumgartner’s request, Costner claimed that the $248,000 request also includes expenses for herself and is “highly inflated and unsubstantiated,” according to People.
“Guideline monthly child support based on Kevin’s gross cash flow available for support is $123,620,” the documents reportedly read.
Costner’s response goes on to claim that Baumgartner is requesting money that she would spend on herself. “Providing the minor children with more than bare necessities does not require providing ludicrous extravagance designed to primarily benefit the supported parent,” the documents read. “Christine allocates 60 percent of expenses such as private trainer, unallocated credit-card expenses, and her plastic surgery to the minor children without any explanation or basis. The children do not use the services of private trainers, only Christine does.”
His filing also alleges that Baumgarner spends almost $200,000 a month on cosmetic procedures. “The plastic surgery expenses of $188,500/month belong to Christine—not the children,” the document reads, as well as, “Christine should know which credit-card expenses were for her and which were for the children, but not even a minimal effort is made to allocate them accurately.”
Another point of contention in Baumgartner and Costner’s divorce is whether or not Baumgartner has agreed to move out of their Santa Barbara, California home.
According to a TMZ report from June, court documents showed that Costner claimed Baumgartner did not move out despite their prenup requiring that she leave within 30 days of filing for divorce—at that point, it had been about a month-and-a-half. The Field of Dreams star claimed that he had already given his ex over $1 million that she could use to find a new house and that he was willing to add more money to his child support payments for her to find somewhere to live.
On June 29, People reported that Baumgartner responded in her own filing that Costner’s claims that she refuses to leave the home are “simply not true” and that she is waiting until a child support agreement has been reached to vacate the premises. She claimed that her ex-husband is “ignoring the impact” that relocating will have on their children if it happens before the agreement is decided. Her attorneys stated that she will move by Aug. 31, if Costner agrees to her financial request of $248,00o per month.
According to People, Baumgartner and Costner have court proceedings set for July 5 and July 12.