Christine Baumgartner Ordered To Pay Kevin Costner $14,237 In Legal Fees For Delaying Their Divorce Proceedings

Kevin Costner’s estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, has been ordered to pay $14,237.50 that Costner accrued in legal fees. 

On Wednesday, Judge Thomas Anderle ruled that Baumgartner must pay a portion of Costner’s fees, which he acquired while attempting to obtain her answers about whether she understood their prenuptial agreement. 

Costner’s lawyers requested that the court compel Baumgartner to answer their questions about the prenup after she was accused of attempting to prolong their divorce. This is due to her claiming that she did not comprehend the words “understood” or “negotiation” after being asked questions relating to the validity of their agreement. 

Through Costner’s attempts to gain answers from Baumgartner, he has spent thousands of dollars in legal fees. “Discovery is not a game of chicken. Kevin should never have been required to spend money to file a motion,” his attorneys stated in court documents.

Through the terms of the prenup, Baumgartner has already received $1.5 million. If she challenges the agreement, she will risk losing the payment and could also be ordered to pay additional fees that Costner has racked up. 

After a court hearing, Costner commented on the situation. “This is a horrible place to be, but this is where we’re at,” he told Access Hollywood. “It feels so bad and we’re talking about somebody I love on the other side, I just can’t.” When he was asked if he still loves Baumgartner, he responded, “Of course.” 

Last month, a judge decided that Costner would pay $63,209 a month to Baumgartner in child support. This is less than half of the $175,057 she requested, citing their kids’ extravagant lifestyle. “Luxury is in their DNA,” she said.  

During the trial, Baumgartner shared with the judge that she plans on supporting herself and her children in the future. “I will look into the steps I need to take and any schooling I need to do, and I will enter the workforce,” she said.

She has moved into a $40,000-a-month rental home in Montecito, California, with her kids. 

The former couple were married for 18 years and share three children, Grace, Hayes and Cayden. The two have been battling in court for months ever since Baumgartner filed for divorce in May. 

Their next court date is scheduled to be in December to discuss the validity of the prenup. 

Baumgartner initially refused to move out of Costner’s $145 million mansion, causing further legal wrangling.