Kevin Costner is finally taking a stand amid the messy divorce
Kevin Costner, 68, took a stand Friday in his ongoing dramatic divorce battle with his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner, 49, who was also in the courtroom.
The couple, who married in 2004 and have three children together, filed for divorce in May on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences.”
Costner was questioned about his finances and expenses, which remain at the center of the litigation as the couple couldn’t agree on child support payments.
The actor recently starred on Paramount’s hit series Yellowstone, earning $1,468,953 a month.
“At some point they wanted to change something,” Costner said of the process of filming Yellowstone. according to Fox News.
“They wanted to do it [Season] 5A and 5B. I wanted to do my film Horizon and leave this show, do my film and then do B. A show I only did once a year I did twice now.”
He claimed he was offered $24 million for seasons five, six and seven of Yellowstone, but scheduling and creative issues ended negotiations and the show was ultimately canceled.
Costner then shot two “Horizon” films – a four-part series is planned.
The star reportedly funded $20 million for the films and owns a third stake in the franchise, but has failed to collect the $24 million he was supposed to take home for both works, claiming he did the payment was postponed in order not to overwhelm the budget.
“I would have liked it. I think anyone would do that, but I did what I thought was right,” he told the court. according to the Daily Mail.
Costner was also asked about his five-lot beachfront property, which Baumgartner says is worth between $75 million and $95 million.
She is reportedly renting a home at $40,000 a month, which she feels is not enough for her and her children, and wants to use the child support she is requesting to upgrade a $150,000 a month home.
Costner said the properties are “comparable” but not “the same.”
When asked if he’d swap houses with his ex, Costner reportedly burst out laughing: “That’s tough!”
“No, I wouldn’t do that, but not because I don’t think this home compares. I raised three kids in my house, their hands are in the stone. I think most people would understand that.”
But he was certain that Baumgartner’s house had some features that his did not.
His attorney, Laura Wasser, accused Baumgartner of making “inappropriate” financial demands to fund her own lavish lifestyle, even though she had already received a $1.5 million payout — an amount included in the former couple’s marriage contract was set in the event of a divorce.
Wasser called Baumgartner’s demands an “exaggeration,” noting that a review of the prenuptial agreement and spousal support will be considered in court in November.
“Even in LA, I’ve never seen a child support request that big,” she said.
This comes after Baumgartner formally asked a judge to set a new monthly child support payment, raising the request Thursday from $129,755 to $161,592. Costner reportedly wants to pay $60,000 a month.
The current plan is for Costner to return to the witness stand later this afternoon as a witness for his own legal defense.
