Kevin Costner Denies Wife's Claim That He Wants Kids Out of His House
Christine Baumgartner says Kevin Costner is trying to kick her and their kids out of the home they "have lived in for their entire lives"
But Kevin Costner has denied his estranged wife's claims and said their kids would always have a home with him.
Baumgartner filed for divorce from Costner last month, citing "irreconcilable differences."
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Kevin Costner has rejected his soon-to-be ex-wife's allegations that he wants to oust their three children from his 10-acre California compound amid their increasingly contentious divorce.
Costner said in new court papers that although he wants his estranged spouse, Christine Baumgartner, to move out, his children would always have a home with him.
"I would also like to make it clear that I am not 'kicking' the children out of their home as Mr. Rydell (Baumgartner's lawyer) claims," Costner said in a June 14 declaration, which was obtained by Insider. "Christine and I will be sharing equal physical custody of our children, and they will be in their home, in their bedrooms, with their clothing, books and belongings during the time they are in my custody and any additional time that they would like to be there."
"Our children are teenagers, and may come and go between my home and Christine's home, once she finds a new residence," Costner added. "Therefore, our children have nothing to do with my request. I am only requesting that Christine vacate my separate property home and find alternate living arrangements, which she agreed to do and should have begun doing so in April when she decided to file for divorce."
Costner's recent declaration is the latest legal volley in what is becoming an increasingly acrimonious divorce. Baumgartner filed to end the marriage last month, citing "irreconcilable differences." Costner then filed a motion to evict his wife from their marital home, arguing that she agreed to vacate the property within 30 days if they split under the terms of their prenuptial agreement. Costner said he purchased the compound 16 years before they married, and after losing his home in his first divorce, he was determined not to have the same thing happen again.
Costner spoke about how their relationship evolved during the coronavirus pandemic. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
Costner said he has offered Baumgartner a $1 million payment toward a new house, and offered to pay the mortgage, insurance, and taxes on the place for a year.
Baumgartner responded with legal documents accusing the "Yellowstone" actor of trying to turf both her and their three teenagers out of the home they grew up in with no legal basis.
In Costner's most recent court filing, he asked the judge to keep a scheduled hearing on the matter for early next month and said it was not "healthy" for the pair to continue sharing a home. He said he's been away filming, but planned to return at the end of the month to work and did not want Baumgartner there.
"I do not believe that it is healthy for Christine and I to be in limbo or to be sharing space upon my return," Costner said. "Christine has the financial ability to find alternate housing on a temporary or permanent basis and I have consistently offered to assist her with zero response from her or her representatives."
A judge hasn't yet ruled on Costner's request to force Baumgartner out. Insider has contacted the lawyers for Baumgarter and Costner, but hasn't received a response.
The couple — who have a 19-year age difference — met on a golf course in the early 1990s when the actor was preparing for his role in the film "Tin Cup." At the time, Costner was still married to his first wife, Cindy Silva. It was his divorce from Silva — with whom he shares three children between the ages of 35 and 39 — that motivated Costner to insist on a strict prenup this time around, he said.
According to Forbes, their 1994 settlement, in which Silva was awarded an estimated $80 million, was one of the most expensive celebrity divorces ever.
The divorce comes amid some drama in Costner's professional life, too. Deadline reported in February that a behind-the-scenes feud between the actor and the "Yellowstone" cocreator Taylor Sheridan over shooting schedules was holding up production on the show's fifth season.
While Costner has yet to address the claims, it was announced in May that the drama would be ending later this year with the conclusion of its fifth and final season.
Source: Insider
