Kevin Costner scored a win in his contentious divorce battle with Christine Baumgartner, as his estranged wife has been ordered to vacate their $145 million home.
In a conference management hearing on Wednesday, Judge Thomas Anderele sided with the Yellowstone star and denied his estranged wife’s request to stay in their home through August, according to Yahoo. Baumgartner now has until July 31 to move out.
According to ET, Baumgartner and her attorney appeared at the hearing in person while Costner attended over Zoom, keeping himself on mute. Costner’s lawyer Laura Wasser attended in person.
The ruling gives Costner a victory in what has been one of the most contentious areas of their divorce. Baumgartner refused to move from the home, even though the terms of their prenup stipulated that she had 30 days to vacate after filing for divorce.
Baumgartner claimed that Costner wants her to “rent a place without a financial plan in place,” per Radar Online, and wants to avoid “making temporary and inconsistent housing arrangements” for the sake of their children.
According to Page Six, she said she would only leave if Costner agrees to pay “whatever support fee orders that the court makes” at their upcoming divorce hearing on July 12.
But Costner appealed to the courts to force her out of the home and make her comply with the agreed terms of their prenup.
Costner and Baumgartner were married for 18 years before Baumgartner filed for divorce on May 1, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Costner was reportedly stunned by the filing.
Their split set off a contentious and high-profile battle between the spouses over the terms of their split. The couple have three kids together — Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13 — and Baumgartner has been asking for $248,000 a month in child support from Costner, arguing that the nearly quarter-million figure is “less than the amount needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle.”
But Costner’s team has countered that that amount is “inflated and grossly inaccurate” and that Baumgartner is justifying that amount with extravagant personal costs, including credit card bills and cosmetic surgery.
Costner says that $51,940 a month he currently pays is a reasonable amount for child support. He has also agreed to pay the full cost of the children’s health insurance and Grace’s private school tuition, along with their other extracurricular expenses.
Divorce can be very messy, especially when there are kids and a large fortune involved — we wish Costner and Baumgartner the best going forward and hope they can work things out in a fair and amicable way.
Please share this story!