Is Kevin Costner's prenup valid? Actor's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner says she did not 'understand' what she signed up for in 2004
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The ongoing divorce saga between Hollywood actor Kevin Costner, 68, and his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, 49, has heated up once again as new developments have emerged regarding their prenuptial agreement from 2004.
Baumgartner is now suggesting that she may not have fully understood the terms when she signed the document. Costner's legal team has submitted a court document that questions whether Baumgartner truly understood the prenup's implications at the time of signing.
The document reads, "Christine asserts she cannot admit or deny that she understood the Premarital Agreement because she (and apparently all of her attorneys) do not understand the word ‘understand,’" reported TMZ.
The 'Yellowstone' star’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, wrote in the filing, “Christine’s counsel asked for a definition of ‘understood’ and Kevin’s counsel provided the dictionary meaning of the word ‘understood,’ to wit, ‘comprehended or perceive the intended meaning of words.'”
Is Kevin Costner's prenup valid?
This recent legal confrontation centers around Baumgartner's alleged lack of understanding regarding the prenuptial agreement's provisions.
There are indications that the handbag designer might challenge the prenup, citing a failure to fully grasp its implications at the time of signing.
The mom of three’s attorney said the “request is vague as to the scope and meaning of the terms ‘understood,'” adding that Baumgartner was “unable to admit or deny the request.”
Nevertheless, Costner's attorney is requesting the judge to compel Baumgartner's legal team to clarify whether their client understood the terms of the written contract.
However, the consequences of this legal debate are significant. Should Baumgartner decide to contest the prenup and if the court enforces it, she would be required to return the $1.5 million that Costner provided her and also cover his attorney's fees.
How much does Kevin Costner need to pay in child support?
In July, a judge ruled that Costner would pay $129,755 per month in child support for their three children, despite her initial request for $248,000 per month.
The court ruling also mandated Costner to cover $200,000 in attorney's fees and an additional $100,000 in forensic costs.
Furthermore, the judge upheld the validity of their prenup, which stipulated that Baumgartner should vacate their shared family home. In the previous month, photographs of U-Haul trucks leaving Costner's residence in Santa Barbara, California surfaced.
Subsequently, it emerged that Baumgartner was in the process of relocating to a "smaller home" situated on the property of Costner. Although a source claimed, the move was “a temporary solution” and Baumgartner was “still looking for another house.”
“She is staying in the area to not disrupt the kids’ lives,” the insider said. “They will be back at school in the fall with their friends. Despite the legal turbulence, Baumgartner has been seen carrying on with her daily life in Santa Barbara, recently spotted with a notable $4,800 ombré Prada bag.