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07th Jul 2023

Kevin Costner’s ex-wife says $52k-per-month child support isn’t enough

Steve Hopkins

She’s been ordered to leave Costner’s $145 million California beachfront home by 31 July

Kevin Costner’s ex-wife has reportedly rejected his offer of $52,000-a-month (£40,740) in child support, deeming the amount “inappropriate”.

Christine Baumgartner and Costner are in the middle of divorce proceedings and earlier this week the handbag designer was ordered to vacate the $145 million California beachfront home they used to share. Baumgartner, 49, has until the end of the month to do so and was reportedly in breach of their pre-nuptial agreement.

It has now been revealed Baumgartner wants $248k (£194k) in monthly child support payments.

Previous reports suggested Costner, 68, had offered $38k, but had since upped the offer.

Baumgartner has reportedly claimed Costner “spends US$240k a month on himself and the kids when they’re with him”.

TMZ reports that new court documents show Costner’s new off was “well below” the US$65K per month she claims Costner receives for renting out a guest house on his property.

The publisher further reported that Baumgartner said the offer is not enough to maintain the lifestyle that their three teenage children are accustomed to, as they are “used to living at the beach and in a gated neighbourhood”.

Costner’s attorney said the actor has been paying all of the children’s expenses since separating from Baumgartner and will continue to do so, the Independent reported.

Baumgartner has stated that their lifestyle is maintained by a team of staff, such as assistants who clean the home and do the grocery shopping and the fee will also cover utilities and bills.

Baumgartner, reports state, has said she will leave the family home by 31 August if Costner provides financial support. Under the pre-nup, Costner has said, his ex was obligated to leave the property within 30 days of filing for divorce. She filed in early May.

Her legal team has sought an extension, suggesting she does not have the money to move, which Costner’s team disputes.

In a memorandum Costner’s team state: “She (Baumgartner) has at her disposal almost $1.5m in cash to find alternative housing. Multiple four-bedroom, four-bathroom lovely homes are presently available, located in close proximity to Kevin’s separate property residence… Kevin made multiple offers to assist her in relocating.”

Costner has reportedly gone to stay at his 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colorado, because he no longer feels “comfortable sharing a residence with Christine”.

Baumgartner is entitled to a settlement of $1.4m under the conditions of their pre-nup, which Costner claimed he has already paid.

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