Kevin Costner's divorce debacle: How his marriage to Christine Baumgartner devolved into eviction drama
CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner and his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner’s divorce proceedings have taken an ugly turn. The former model is refusing to vacate their Carpinteria mansion. The ‘Yellowstone’ star, 68, is said to have taken legal steps to get her to leave the home in the wake of her divorce filing last month. Earlier, he accused Baumgartner of violating their prenuptial agreement while claiming that she withdrew $95K from his bank account 'without prior notice'.
In accordance with their 2004 ironclad prenup, Baumgartner was required to forfeit the money and vacate Costner's house within 30 days of her filing for divorce on May 1. But, as per Daily Mail, the former handbag designer was spotted at their $145 million beachfront compound in Carpinteria on Wednesday, June 14. In his previous no-holds-bar declaration, Costner told the court that he believes Baumgartner is remaining in the home to persuade him to give into "various financial demands" she is making in the wake of their split. With things growing contentious between Costner and Baumgartner, here’s a timeline of the nasty unraveling of their 18-year-long marriage.
Abrupt end to 18-year marriage
Many people, including Costner himself, were left 'blindsided' after Baumgartner filed for divorce to dissolve their 18-year marriage on May 1. It is reported that Costner and Baumgartner were separated for just a couple of weeks before her divorce fillings. Before their split, the couple had been together for over 24 years and were married for 18. The ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor-director shares three children with Christine — Cayden, 15, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 12.
Although it is claimed that the split was due to "irreconcilable differences", it is unclear what originally caused the separation. In her divorce filing, Baumgartner requested joint custody of their three children but did not ask for spousal support since there is a prenuptial agreement in place. The couple signed a pre-nuptial agreement at the time of their marriage in 2004 after Costner spent almost $80 million on his record-breaking divorce from his first marriage with Cindy Costner.
Conditions of their 'ironclad' prenup
Under the terms of the prenup, Baumgartner is required to leave the premise of all properties that are owned by her soon-to-be ex-husband. "Under the terms in Paragraph 9.A. of the parties' Premarital Agreement, Petitioner to vacate Respondent's separate property residences,” Costner's legal team said in the court filing after the divorce filing, according to People. They also filed a list of "separate property," including, "Miscellaneous jewelry and other personal effects; earnings and accumulations of Respondent before marriage, during the marriage, and from and after the date of separation; [and] there are additional separate property assets and obligations of each party as mandated by the parties' Premarital Agreement."
Costner and Baumgartner’s divorce proceedings take ugly turn
Costner and Baumgartner’s divorce proceeding turned ugly after she refused to vacate their $145 million Carpinteria mansion. As per the prenup, the former model was obligated to leave the estate within 30 days of her filing for divorce but the actor revealed that she was refusing to vacate the property despite multiple requests. In fact, the actor and his lawyer, Laura Wasser, have requested the court to issue an order barring her from dwelling in his home. “Kevin simply asks that Christine honor her commitments to him, by moving out of his separate property home,” the actor’s latest court filings stated.
In his court documents, Costner alleged that has Baumgartner "taken the position that she will not move out of Kevin's separate property residence unless and until Kevin agrees to various financial demands." In order to get Baumgartner out of his property, the director “has even made a comprehensive child support and fee proposal.” He also claimed that he has paid the sum of “$1 million to Christine.”
"As such, Christine now has available to her approximately $1,450,000 which she can use at her discretion, including to find alternative housing,” Costner continued, adding that he even offered her assistance in moving out. However, despite all the proposals, the actor alleges that his estranged wife is taking additional cash from his accounts without his permission. “Since April 2023, Christine has withdrawn from my bank account and charged on my credit card a total of $95,000, payable to her divorce attorney and forensic accountant,” he wrote, according to RadarOnline.