After his 18-year marriage to estranged wife Christine Baumgartner ended in divorce, actor Kevin Costner has openly expressed his disappointment in how the proceedings have played out in court. The couple has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle, with multiple issues surrounding their prenuptial agreement being major points of contention. In new court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, the acrimony between the two has been further unveiled.
In the recently revealed court documents, Kevin accuses Christine of employing “stalling tactics” to prolong their divorce proceedings, which have been ongoing for over three months. According to Kevin’s legal team, Christine claims that she did not fully comprehend the prenup when she signed it back in 2003 before their wedding. In response, Kevin’s team has labeled this as “gamesmanship of the worst sort.”
One of the most hotly debated aspects of the prenuptial agreement between Kevin and Christine was the provision that if Christine were to file for divorce, she would have to vacate their shared home within 30 days of filing. Prior to their separation, the couple resided in a magnificent 1.4-acre cliffside property in Santa Barbara, which Kevin solely owned. The actor has maintained that he made it abundantly clear to Christine before their marriage that his separate properties would always remain exclusively his, regardless of the outcome of their relationship.
Kevin cited personal experience as his motivation for protecting his separate residences: “Upon separation in my previous marriage, I found myself without a home base and unable to live in my own home. I never wanted this to happen again. Because of the nature of my work, I am frequently out of town, so it is particularly important to me that I have a home to return to when I am not traveling.”
In response to the request for $248,000 per month in child support from Christine, Kevin expressed outrage, deeming it “highly inflated and unsubstantiated.” He contested Christine’s allocation of expenses such as a private trainer, unallocated credit-card expenses, and her plastic surgery to primarily benefit the minor children, asserting that they do not utilize those services, only Christine does. He emphasized that providing for the children does not necessitate excessive indulgence designed to primarily benefit the supported parent.
Initially, the prenup stated that Kevin would pay $38,000 per month in child support. However, after Kevin proposed $123,620 in response to Christine’s $248,000, a judge ordered him to pay $129,000 per month instead. The issue of child support remains a point of contention in the ongoing divorce battle between Kevin and Christine.
As the divorce proceedings continue, a judge ordered Christine to vacate the Santa Barbara property by July 31. While Christine advocated for moving out by August 31, Kevin insisted on the earlier date of July 13. Moving trucks were spotted at both the Santa Barbara residence and one of Kevin’s other nearby properties ahead of the deadline.
Kevin Costner’s divorce from Christine Baumgartner has been marked by intense legal battles and disagreements over various aspects of their prenuptial agreement. The acrimony between the two continues to escalate as they navigate issues such as child support and the division of assets. As the proceedings drag on, it remains to be seen how the final resolution will unfold and the impact it will have on both Kevin and Christine.
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