What are the allegations against Christine Baumgartner? Kevin Costner's lawyer accuses ex of 'theft' as divorce battle drags on
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The curious case of Kevin Costner and his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner is taking a messy turn day by day. In a recent court filing, the ‘Yellowstone’ star has accused Baumgartner of purchasing expensive things and funding her personal costs with credit cards of staff running the Costner house. As per the court documents, the former handbag designer is accused of planning the divorce way before her May filing.
‘The Bodyguard’ actor’s lawyers accused that Baumgartner “has shown a disturbing propensity in the last several months, both before and after separation, to take [Kevin’s] property without his knowledge or consent, especially since this case was filed,” as per the documents obtained by Page Six. The documents that were filed on Thursday, July 13, further continue to describe the expenses where Baumgartner has spent money.
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What are the charges against Christine Baumgartner?
The document claimed that the mother of three had been planning the split for quite a long time and she was planning accordingly. The 68-year-old actor’s filing said she had paid a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer a large sum of $25000 without Costner’s knowledge. While there is no explanation for this huge expenditure, the lawyers informed that the money was taken from the Oscar-winning actor’s separate property funds.
The lawyers have further claimed that she had been financing her divorce lawyer through Costner’s money itself but without his knowing. They said Baumgartner’s divorce lawyer Susan Wiesner was paid “on the credit card of an employee which is traditionally used for Costner family house charges and paid by [Kevin].”
The document informs that the couple’s prenup - which was signed in 2004 - allows Baumgartner to take her personal vehicle in case of a divorce. While the usual practice for the Costners is to lease their cars, Baumgartner made a purchase of an expensive vehicle months prior to her filing the divorce in May. This led Costner’s team of lawyers to conclude that it was evident that she “had been planning her exit long before she told [Kevin] in April 2023.”
The documents further claim that she has reportedly denied signing an agreement that states she would not take anything from the property before moving out.
Current status of the divorce battle
A judge ruled earlier that the ‘Open Range’ actor has to pay $129,755 per month for child support. As per Insider, while Baumgartner initially asked for $248,000 to maintain the children’s lifestyle, she later reduced it to $217,300. Costner, on the other hand, proposed to pay $51,940 citing his estranged wife was asking for the extra money to meet her personal expenditures including cosmetic surgeries and luxury shopping. Costner is also ordered to pay Baumgartner’s attorney’s fees of $200,000 and forensic costs of $100,000.
The couple who share three children together, both filed for joint custody of them. While Costner will be paying the lumpsum amount for child custody, both spouses are ordered to pay 50 percent of the children’s other expenses including health care and extracurricular expenses. While Baumgartner initially refused to vacate the family home earlier, a judge has also ruled that she has to leave the property by July 31.
