Kevin Costner has reportedly been ordered to pay his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, $63,209 per month in child support, following a lengthy and contentious court struggle.
According to TSZ, the Los Angeles court supervising the lawsuit decided on Friday, granting the actor’s recommended amount.
During his testimony in court, the “Yellowstone” actor allegedly stated that he wished to pass on his properties to his children and emphasized, “I don’t hide money from my wife.”
TSZ Newz reached out to Costner’s representative for comment but did not receive an instant response.
The verdict was a victory for the actor, who had been tentatively ordered to pay the former handbag designer $129,755 per month for their three children — Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13 — in July.
Baumgartner, 49, submitted a request to boost that payment to $175,057 earlier this week, stating she wants their children to “enjoy the same lifestyle” as their parents.
Baumgartner decreased the sum to $161,592 following a forensic accountant’s latest estimate during a court hearing Thursday to address her request.
Nonetheless, she claimed that enjoying a lavish lifestyle “is in their [kids’] DNA at this point.”
Baumgartner then listed all of the sports in which the teens participate, as well as the homes the family owns, before claiming that her motivation was “so much more” than monetary goods.
“It’s an experience,” she said in court, describing the family home as a “community.”
“We create whatever we can dream up in here,” she added, insisting that the court order “must allow the children to be supported at a level commensurate with Kevin’s considerable wealth, even if that level of support also improves [my] standard of living.”
According to Baumgartner, that “standard of living” should include a residence “comparable” to Costner’s $145 million mansion and “luxury vacations” on private jets.
Costner, 68, felt that such an increase was unnecessary, citing their $129,755 agreement and the prospective financial benefits of Baumgartner’s apparent new affair.
He earlier claimed that $51,940 per month was the more “reasonable” figure, accusing Baumgartner of requesting more money to cover her own expenses, including plastic surgery.
Meanwhile, Baumgartner recently accused the actor of “withholding” evidence concerning his financial transactions, claiming that his net worth increased to $400 million during their nearly 19-year marriage.
After marrying the Oscar winner in September 2004, the former model filed for divorce in May.
The couple signed a prenuptial agreement, which purportedly specifies how much spousal assistance Baumgartner receives from Costner and explains her post-divorce living circumstances.
However, she has attempted to contest that as well, claiming that she may not have “understood” what she signed. Although it seems like the divorce battle has come to an end in favor of Costner.
