Kevin Costner's ex asks court to not pay actor's legal fees amid contentious divorce
Christine Baumgartner is reportedly asking a judge to deny ex Kevin Costner’s request to have her pay part of his legal fees amid their bitter divorce.
Earlier this month, the “Yellowstone” star was ordered to pay $200,000 in attorney’s fees and $100,000 in forensic costs — which he has since reportedly asked his soon-to-be ex-wife to pay a third of.
However, per filings obtained by Entertainment Tonight Friday, Baumgartner argued that Costner wouldn’t have incurred such hefty legal fees if he hadn’t filed additional motions to get her kicked out of their shared California mansion.
The former handbag designer filed for divorce on May 1 after 18 years of marriage and, in accordance with their prenuptial agreement, she only had 30 days to vacate his $145 million estate.
Christine Baumgartner is reportedly asking a court to deny Kevin Costner’s request to have her pay $100,000 of his legal fees. TheImageDirect.com
However, the mother of three refused to move out until the end of August because she wanted to have a financial plan in place to ensure she wouldn’t be left penniless.
In response, the actor filed multiple motions in an effort to get her out by the end of July rather than waiting for their pre-determined court date — which she claimed is what cost him such a pretty penny.
At the time, Costner had allegedly already given Baumgartner over $1.2 million for his prenuptial obligations, which included another residence.
The handbag designer claimed that if Costner hadn’t tried to kick her out of their home so quickly, he wouldn’t have racked up so many legal fees. Getty Images for Netflix
He also claimed that he was willing to give her “$30K per month for a rental house” and “another $10K for her moving costs” as part of his child support if she moved out quicker.
A hearing on the legal fees has been scheduled for Aug. 2 in Santa Barbara.
Now that Baumgartner is finally in the process of moving out, even more drama has ensued, with the “Bodyguard” actor accusing his ex of stripping their house bare — which she denied.
Baumgartner filed for divorce in May after 18 years of marriage. Invision/AP
In response, a judge ordered the model to ask Costner permission before moving anything out of the house.
Despite her July 31 move-out date fast approaching, Baumgartner has been busy soaking up the sun in Hawaii alongside the pair’s three kids — and one of Costner’s close associates.
The 49-year-old was spotted on an oceanside stroll with Josh Connor, a California-based financier who is considered one of the actor’s close pals, on Friday.
In addition to the legal fees, Costner was ordered to pay nearly $130,000 per month in child support. Getty Images
Although the pair seemed to be in great spirits, there were no obvious signs of PDA.
Baumgartner shares three children with Costner: son Cayden, 16, and Hayes, 14, as well as daughter Grace, 13.
The mother of three was recently awarded more than $129,000 a month in child support, which is more than double the amount he requested and $100,000 less than she asked for.
Source: Page Six
