Kevin Costner's forensic accountant claims ex Christine Baumgartner spent $18K a month on just clothing
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA: During Kevin Costner's ongoing court hearing on Friday, September 1, regarding his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner's request for increased child support, the actor's forensic accountant disclosed the alleged spending patterns of his former partner.
Tracy Katz, the forensic accountant for the 'Yellowstone' star, presented a breakdown of the family's monthly expenses totaling $240,000.
Expense breakdown reveals high costs for Kevin Costner's ex Christine Baumgartner
This breakdown indicated that Christine, 49, spent an average of $18,000 per month on designer clothing and over $3,000 monthly on beauty products and treatments.
The forensic accountant further asserted that the family's expenses encompassed approximately $40,000 per month on gifts and flowers and nearly $9,000 withdrawn from ATMs.
Katz subtracted these amounts before determining the portion of these monthly expenses allocated to the couple's three children: sons Cayden (16) and Hayes (14), and daughter Grace (13).
Following a two-day court hearing in Santa Barbara, a decision was reached, compelling Costner to pay Christine $63,209 monthly in child support.
This legal battle began in May when Christine filed for divorce from Costner after 18 years of marriage. The subsequent month, she initially requested $248,000 per month in child support, contending that this amount was essential to maintain the children's accustomed lifestyle.
Kevin Costner's child support figures under scrutiny
In July, a judge initially ruled that Costner should pay Christine over $129,000 in monthly child support for their children.
In preparation for this week's court hearing in Santa Barbara, Christine sought an increased monthly child support amount of $175,057, a substantial rise from the $129,000 she had been receiving, as revealed in court documents according to PEOPLE.
During the proceedings, Kevin expressed his concern about the possibility of being ordered to pay child support exceeding the needs of his children and Christine's requirements.
“My biggest concern is that the court orders me to pay child support that is above the needs of my children and for the needs of Christine,” Kevin said in court.
Where does Tracy Katz work?
Tracy Katz is a partner in law firm Gursey I Schneider LLP's Litigation Services Department and specializes in forensic accounting in family law and civil litigation.
According to her Gursey.com bio, "Tracy Katz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Nova Southeastern University (1993) and earned her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law (1997). She passed the bar the same year and joined Gursey | Schneider LLP."
Which further adds, "As a partner in the firm's Litigation Services Department, she specializes in forensic accounting in family law and civil litigation. Katz offers expertise in various litigation accounting services, including business appraisals, marital lifestyle analyses, stock option apportionments, and more.
"She has testified as an expert witness in multiple California counties and Hawaii. Katz is also an accomplished lecturer and author on family law topics and is actively involved in professional associations"