Verdict in Kevin Costner’s child support case – how much he will pay his estranged wife
This fight easy cost this actor far fewer stones.
Kevin Costner has been fined to pay his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner significantly less child support than she originally asked for after he accused her of “gimmicking of the worst kind” during their intense divorce battle.
A judge ruled Friday that the 68-year-old “Yellowstone” star would be sentenced to pay Baumgartner just $63,209 a month. according to TMZ.
In legal documents obtained in early August from TMZThe 49-year-old handbag designer asked the court to have Costner pay her around $175,057 a month so her three children could experience the same lifestyle with either parent.
In July, a judge ruled that Costner must pay his estranged wife $129,755 per month Child support payments for her three children – although she originally asked the court to do so $248,000 per month.
This came after Baumgartner reportedly accused Costner “Withholding” evidence of his finances. That was the case in a complaint in the California Supreme Court in August received from humans.
The decision marks the end of a bitter, month-long saga that began when the famous couple filed for divorce in May, citing “irreconcilable differences” after 18 years of marriage.
Costner finally appeared in court on Friday and gave testimony, where he was questioned about his finances and the $1,468,953-a-month fortune he amassed as a lead actor on the now-defunct Paramount hit show Yellowstone.
“At some point, they wanted to change something,” Costner said of the series’ filming process. “We negotiated. There were problems with creativity. I tried to clear the wood jam. They went away.”
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 would swap houses with his ex, Costner reportedly burst out laughing.
“It’s difficult!” he said on the witness stand. “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.
Costner appears to be walking away from this divorce battle with his head held high, seemingly fulfilling an alleged promise to humiliate his ex-wife and make her life “hell on earth,” an alleged close friend of Baumgartner’s told the Daily Mail in July.
“He wants to humiliate her,” said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. “This isn’t about the house, this is about making Christine’s life hell because she actually went through with the divorce.”
