LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner is expected to pay a significant sum to his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, as part of their contentious divorce. A judge has signed a tentative ruling ordering Costner to provide $129,000 per month in child support, which is roughly half of what Baumgartner had initially requested, per TMZ.
Baumgartner had originally asked the court for $248,000 per month in child support, as previously reported, in addition to an undisclosed amount of spousal support agreed upon in the former couple's prenuptial agreement. Costner had argued that a "reasonable" amount of child support would be $51,940 per month. The current ruling is still under consideration and may be revised based on an upcoming hearing in the coming months, during which both parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner will share expenses equally
Based on recent court documents, Costner and Baumgartner will share equal responsibility, each covering 50 percent of healthcare expenses, private school tuition, and any additional activities the children participate in. Baumgartner, who has three teenage children with Costner, presented a 2022 profit and loss account for Costner's income from all sources in calendar year 2022, claiming Costner made $19,517,064 in 2022.
According to a declaration provided by a certified public accountant hired by Baumgartner, Costner's average monthly cash flow is $1,536,808. The CPA ruled that Costner owes Baumgartner $152,681 in monthly guideline child support. But, they alleged that figure should be $248,000 per month when the children's monthly accustomed quality of living is factored in, based on the living expenses and housing expenses reported on Costner's 2022 financial accounts.
'...our lifestyle is extraordinary'
"I realize that our lifestyle is extraordinary. I appreciate how very blessed we are to live this way. It’s important to not only to provide a warm and comfortable home for our children but to also teach them family values and gratitude," Baumgartner said in court documents obtained by ET. "I understand that guideline child support based on Kevin’s income in 2022 would be $152,681 per month. As set forth above, the amount needed to maintain the children’s current lifestyle is $332,264 per month, which is 60% of what our family spent."
Costner is also attempting to evict his estranged wife from their $145 million oceanfront estate within the next two days. In court filings, he stated that he "respectfully requests" that his former partner "vacate his separate property residence" in Santa Barbara, California immediately and "no later than July 13, 2023."
