In a significant development, Kevin Costner has emerged victorious in his divorce case against his estranged spouse, Christine Baumgartner. A judge in Santa Barbara has reduced Baumgartner’s child support payments to $63,209 per month, a significant decrease from her initial request of $161,592 (she had initially asked for $175,057, according to People). This amount is also less than half of the $129,755 she was previously receiving based on a tentative ruling.
Following a two-day evidentiary hearing where both parties presented their arguments for what they considered “reasonable” child support, the decision was reached. Costner acknowledged that this contentious battle had “no winners” after the ruling.
Costner shared with Fox News Digital, “You know when you have a life that long with somebody, there is no winner…and it’s this big, crazy thing called life and how it unravels so quickly.” He added, “One minute you feel like you’re on top of the world, and then you realize how, you know, how vulnerable you are.” Costner praised Baumgartner as a mother and expressed his commitment to eventually reach a fair custody agreement with her, saying, “She’s an incredible mom. We will figure it out, and we’ll share. We just got to kind of convalesce right now.”
During the final hour of the hearing, Costner returned to the witness stand and voiced his primary concern to the court. He expressed apprehension that an “inflated” child support amount for Baumgartner would compel him to accept roles he might not desire. He also expressed regret to his ex-wife, stating, “I want to help, but the thought of having things inflated to the point I can’t do what I want to do…,” as reported by Daily Mail. He added, “Somehow, in this unusual world, we didn’t make it, and for that, I’m sorry.”
The upcoming trial in November will focus on the prenuptial agreement and Baumgartner’s request for spousal support. Baumgartner’s side had previously secured a temporary victory in June when child support was set at $129,000, prompting the request for the hearing.
Why did the judge overturn the $129,000 child support ruling for Christine Baumgartner?
Judge Thomas Anderle, however, reversed the previous decision, determining that Baumgartner’s request for $161,000 in child support was not reasonably necessary for the well-being of the three Costner children, as reported by Daily Mail.
Baumgartner had argued that the children should spend time at a $150,000 per month rental home near the beach once her six-month lease was up, as her new $40,000 per month residence was deemed “inadequate” compared to Costner’s $73 million beachfront property. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of an ocean view at her new home and the different lifestyle it offered compared to her marital residence.
Will Christine Baumgartner acquire Kevin Costner’s beach house?
Given that Baumgartner had previously received a lump sum payment of $1.5 million as per the prenuptial agreement, the possibility of her returning to the beach remains uncertain unless she prevails in a second trial scheduled for November. Following the verdict, Baumgartner swiftly consulted with her legal team, while Costner appeared surprised. Both exited the courtroom through a rear exit. This momentous decision came after a day when Costner testified twice, once as a witness for his wife and once in his own defense.