Introduction: After a recent court victory, the tension between Kevin Costner and his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, has only gotten worse. Baumgartner has filed new documents requesting a guideline child support order while disputing the judge’s decision that she must vacate their Santa Barbara-area estate by the end of the month. As the financial disputes escalate, Baumgartner is asking for $248,000 per month in child support, while Costner is proposing to pay around $52,000 per month. Let’s dive into the details of this ongoing conflict over monthly finances following Kevin Costner’s court victory.
Baumgartner’s Child Support Request: Christine Baumgartner has filed documents requesting $248,000 per month in child support from Kevin Costner. Alternatively, she suggests receiving the guideline rate of $217,300 per month. In addition to child support, Baumgartner wants Costner to cover their children’s private school tuition, healthcare expenses, and extracurricular activities. These requests are based on a forensic accountant’s report that assessed Costner’s actual gross cash flow from the previous year.
Costner’s Counteroffer: Kevin Costner has proposed paying approximately $52,000 per month in child support, which is significantly lower than Baumgartner’s request. Costner’s counteroffer is based on his own perception of his financial situation and the court’s guidelines. The differing figures proposed by both parties highlight their conflicting financial expectations.
Disputes Over Financial Transparency: Baumgartner accuses Costner of being dishonest in claiming to make the divorce process easier for their children. She argues that recent actions, such as attempting to evict her and the children from their home, contradict his stated intentions. Baumgartner questions whether Costner’s proposed child support amount is sufficient, pointing out discrepancies between his reported expenses and his perceived obligations to their children.
Legal Complexities and Requested Fees: Due to the complex nature of Kevin Costner’s finances, Baumgartner is seeking an additional $350,000 in attorney’s fees and $150,000 in forensic costs. These requests reflect the disparity in resources between the two parties. Costner, however, argues that he should not have to fund Baumgartner’s challenge to their pre-marital agreement, asserting that the agreement is valid.
Credit Card Disputes: Baumgartner allegedly charged over $100,000 in attorney and accounting fees to Costner’s credit card without his consent. In response, Costner canceled her companion card and set a monthly limit of $15,000 for emergency expenses related to their children.
Property Division and Pre-Marital Agreement: As part of their pre-marital agreement, the court ordered Baumgartner to move out of their marital residence by July 31. The agreement also stipulates that she must vacate any other properties owned by Costner in the event of a divorce. Costner claims to have deposited $1 million into Baumgartner’s account as part of the pre-marital agreement, along with additional funds. Baumgartner disputes the use of these funds for legal fees and wants them returned until a final determination is made.
Conclusion: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner are locked in a legal battle over their monthly finances after a court ruling. With differing child support requests and disputes over financial transparency, their divorce proceedings promise to be a challenging and complex journey. As both parties present their arguments and seek fair resolutions, the road ahead will undoubtedly be a difficult one.