CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner was reportedly left "shocked" and "blindsided" after his now-separated wife Christine Baumgartner served him divorce papers, as claimed by sources. While initial reports suggested that Costner would have tried to avoid the divorce, an insider recently claimed that the couple agreed to have a more amicable process of separation, which would have allowed the 'Yellowstone' star to serve Baumgartner the divorce papers first.
As per the source, Costner planned to send his estranged wife the papers before following the procedure outlined in their prenuptial agreement. However, she reportedly served Costner the divorce papers right after the day the latter informed their three children about their split, as told by an insider to The US Sun. Moreover, Baumgartner is requesting a whopping $248,000 per month from Costner in child support payments, as per court documents.
'He wanted everything to be peaceful'
One of Costner's representatives told People that the 'Field of Dreams' star and his wife decided to part ways after 18 years of marriage in May. Other reports revealed that Baumgartner filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences" and listed the date of their separation as April 11. More recently, an inside source told The Sun that Costner "sat his family down, told them he and their mum were getting a divorce and his lawyer was getting the paperwork drawn up."
"He wanted everything to be peaceful for the sake of his kids and told Christine he didn't want a messy divorce because he'd already been through one," the source continued, adding, "First thing the next morning, boom, Christine sneak attacks him and serves him with her own set of divorce papers." The informer further stated, "Kevin was so shocked. Christine has since made him look terrible, and has continued to do so." Meanwhile, Baumgartner has accused Costner of telling their children about the divorce through a "short Zoom session."
'It was not anything that he wanted'
Following the announcement of their split, a source told People that the divorce was not apparently Costner's idea. "It was not anything that he wanted or sought, and if he could change the situation, he would." "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," Costner's representative wrote in the statement announcing the couple's split.
Costner and Baumgartner tied the knot in 2004 and share three children, Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. As per court documents, Baumgartner is asking for $248,000 monthly in child support as a "total for all three children." In the filing, Baumgartner wrote that the figure is "less than the amount needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle." She has also asked Costner to pay for the entirety of their children's private-school tuition, extracurricular activities, and sports, as well as health care expenses.
