Christine Baumgartner: Kevin Costner's estranged wife seeks to increase child support, says $52K a month is not enough
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: Christine Baumgartner, who is engaged in a bitter divorce battle with Kevin Costner is not happy with the actor's child support proposal. She says $51,940 per month is "completely inappropriate" and does not reflect his lavish lifestyle or their children's needs.
According to legal documents, TMZ reported, Baumgartner claims Costner spends $240,000 a month on himself and the children when they're with him, living in a $145 million mansion near Santa Barbara, California. She says he expects their children to live well below his means when they're with her, which is unfair and unrealistic.
Costner was getting $65,000 per month for renting out a guest house at their beachfront compound
She also pointed out that Costner was getting $65,000 per month for renting out a guest house at their beachfront compound, where the family lived together before their separation. She claimed there was no way she can find similar housing or maintain their lifestyle on $52K a month. Baumgartner, as per the report, says she needs the money for more than just rent. She lists other expenses like utilities, TV bills, and education costs for their three teenage children, Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 12.
She has argued that the children would be in for a big step down once she moves out of Costner's home. The children, as per Baumgartner, are used to living at the beach and in a gated neighborhood, two things she doubts she will find at $52K a month. Costner and Baumgartner got married in 2004 and they had been married for 18 years. They cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, and both requested joint custody of their children.
Baumgartner was ordered to vacate the family compound by the end of the month
Previously, a source told People that Costner's demanding work schedule was a big factor behind their split. The actor has been busy with his hit show 'Yellowstone' and his passion project 'Horizon', which reportedly took his attention away from his family. On Wednesday, a judge ordered Baumgartner to vacate the family compound by the end of the month, giving Costner an advantage in their divorce case. A legal expert told Fox News that the ruling was "stunningly quick" and that Costner "should be very pleased" with the outcome.
