Kevin Costner’s estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, broke down on the stand as she laid out the couple’s lavish $11 million-a-year lifestyle, which includes a $175 million beachfront home and a 160,000-acre ranch in Aspen.
Christine Baumgartner, 49, moved from the beachfront property to a nearby $40,000-a-month rental last month.
Although luxurious, she says the new house doesn’t offer a “comparable lifestyle” for her children and is asking for extra money to get a house that is “more than a home, it’s an experience,” like the marital property .
Straightening a pair of white-rimmed glasses, she confidently spoke to the court through a series of photos of Costner’s $175 million property of Carpinteria, including photos of the bleached wood deck, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a chicken coop and two guest rooms. houses.
Interior photos show decor designed to match what she described as “California living,” with colorful striped rugs, tan leather couches, and a huge marble table with dark wood chairs overlooking the ocean.
Kevin Costner and his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner arrived in Santa Barbara court today as they attempt to settle child support and custody arrangements. Costner sneaked through a side door and was not pictured
Baumgartner’s attorney spoke about the family’s lavish lifestyle when they were in Aspen, Colorado — describing how the ranch has towpaths that light up at night and play music through the trees, as well as multiple canoes and fishing lakes.
Baumgartner, 49, opted for severe gray tailoring and sunglasses, despite a foggy day in Santa Barbara, and wore her hair half up
Baumgartner, who introduced himself to the court as “Costner,” also spoke of the family’s sporty lifestyle, which included regular surfing, fishing, scuba diving and volleyball.
That includes a boat owned by their son Cayden, 16, and a special room set aside for the family’s large collection of surfboards, wetsuits and paddleboards.
The Carpinteria property consists of five separate lots, one of which is a former neighbour’s residence, purchased in 2016 and now used as a guest house, as well as a place to “sit by the fire and roast marshmallows” and to host family gatherings .
In his opening statement, Baumgartner’s attorney, John Ridel, referenced the eye-watering amounts involved, saying that Costner rakes in more than $1.4 million a month.
During his statement two weeks ago, the Dances with Wolves star estimated his monthly living expenses at $240,000, but he doesn’t want to pay his ex more than $60,000 a month.
Ridel also spoke of the family’s lavish lifestyle when they were in Aspen, Colorado, describing how the ranch has toboggan trails that light up at night and play music through the trees, as well as multiple canoes and fishing lakes.
According to Ridel, the property is currently being rented for as much as $50,000 per day.
Later that morning, Baumgartner shared further details about the family’s lavish lifestyle, including Christmas parties where they brought 40 tons of snow to a 10-acre lot they also own near their California main home just for the event.
Baumgartner described how they “rented all the animals from the stable in Bethlehem for the children to ride, as well as a forest of fir trees, and built toboggan runs.
She said the lot is also used for birthday camping events, setting up 40 tents for their son Cayden and his friends and renting taco trucks to provide food.
While Costner remained unmoved throughout much of her testimony, she sometimes became emotional and burst into tears when the couple’s Aspen ranch came up, causing the court to adjourn for a five-minute intermission.
The hearing is about the future of their three children: sons Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and daughter Grace, 13
Baumgartner, who moved out of the marital home last month after a court battle, said her new $40,000-a-month rental home in Montecito doesn’t compare to the one she left behind.
Christine Baumgartner was flanked by her legal team as she arrived at court on Thursday
Both Costner and his soon-to-be ex-wife arrived at the hearing with 30 minutes left; Costner, smartly dressed in a beige tailored suit, crept in through a side door.
Meanwhile, despite a foggy day in Santa Barbara, Baumgartner opted for a gray suit and sunglasses, and wore her hair half up.
Today’s hearing, in Santa Barbara, California, will last two days and will be overseen by Judge Thomas Anderle.
The feuding couple had been married for 19 years, and Costner was reportedly left “overwhelmed” after his glamorous wife filed for divorce in May, citing his heavy workload.
Since then, the two have exchanged fights over where each will live, the validity of their prenup and the eye-watering amount of child support Baumgartner is demanding.
The mother of three initially asked for monthly child support totaling $248,000, which Costner, 68, opposed.
After receiving substantially less, she is now asking for an increase to $175,000 a month so that her children can have a “comparable” standard of living when they are with her.
In the lawsuits, she talked about how the kids live in a sprawling $145 million beach complex when they’re with their dad, flying a private jet, and enjoying luxury vacations.
Baumgartner, who moved out of the marital home last month after a court battle, said her new $40,000-a-month rental home in Montecito doesn’t compare to the one she left behind.
A legal filing filed with the court last week stated, “Unlike Kevin’s Beach Club Compound, the September rental property is on the mountain side of the highway.
“It doesn’t have beach access, nor is it within walking distance of the beach, and it doesn’t have a scenic view.”
Another legal document included a request for more details about the Dances With Wolves star’s $400 million fortune, including a demand for “expenses paid by you, or anyone else at your request or on your behalf, relating to extramarital romantic relationships.’
Costner was not only the main breadwinner, but also the only one to earn money recently, and Baumgartner says in her filing that she has no income
Baumgartner also wants to know if Costner will return to the hit series Yellowstone, saying he made $11 million for the fourth season, or $1.1 million for each episode. In season five, he received $10 million, which means he earned $1.25 million per episode.
The letter also stated that Costner will continue to receive financial compensation from Yellowstone even if he leaves, because he is “entitled to receive a percentage of the profit share” from the program “regardless of his participation in Season 6 or beyond.”
In response, Costner’s legal team — led by Hollywood divorce attorney Laura Wasser — said the request was “made only for the purpose of harassment, is too broad in time and subject matter, incriminating, oppressive, and inadmissibly formulated.”
His lawyers further stated that Christine’s and her lawyers’ request is “irrelevant to the subject matter” because “there is no community of property” between the former couple in relation to their divorce.
Costner and his team also added that he is “not sure if (Christine) had an ‘extramarital romantic relationship’ before the divorce and, if so, whether she spent any of his money or charged any fees to promoting her affair. (s) on credit cards he paid.”
The star’s lawyers stated, “(Kevin) has no responsive documents for ‘extramarital romantic relationships’ he was involved in because he didn’t have any.”
More details about Costner’s finances are expected to be heard in court today as part of the “multi-day evidentiary hearing on (Baumgartner’s) child support application, at which time the Court will receive evidence on (Costner’s) gross cash flow.” available for support. and expected future earnings.”
The pair were photographed arriving at court on August 19 to make statements in Santa Barbara ahead of the hearing. The case will go to a full trial later this year.