As Christine Baumgartner heads into the holidays without Kevin Costner, rumors are swirling that the once passionate couple may be getting back together.
But she is putting to rest any talk that she and her ex-husband are on good terms after settling their contentious divorce.
A close friend of Baumgartner’s told DailyMail.com: ‘Christine said there isn’t an ounce of truth that she and Kevin are toying with the idea of being friends with benefits. Firstly, they barely talk to each other and secondly, she has moved on.’
She did say that the holidays will be a little challenging, especially Thanksgiving, because it was such an important thing to do with family, but she is staying strong and moving forward.
As Christine Baumgartner heads into the holidays without Kevin Costner, rumors are swirling that the ice between the once-passionate couple is melting.
Baumgartner has moved on from her bitter divorce from Kevin Costner and has dismissed suggestions they could become ‘friends with benefits’ after the couple were embroiled in a months-long legal war that ended last month
But Christine is adamant that a reconciliation won’t happen anytime soon, with the source saying: ‘There is still a lot of pain on both sides and she is still disappointed that Kevin and his legal team painted such a terrible and untruthful image of her have outlined. .’
The stuff that was thawing her relationship with Costner came next Radaronline reported that the exes were back on speaking terms after finalizing their divorce last month and that Christine hoped to use the friendship as a way to get more money out of the actor.
The 68-year-old actor and his 49-year-old wife of 19 years were embroiled in a months-long legal war that ended surprisingly in September.
It was said that Kevin was blindsided when Christine filed for divorce in May.
“Christine said she is relieved to have her own space and knows in her heart she made the right decision. Of course she hopes to have a relationship with Kevin one day, but that will take time,” the friend said.
‘Christine said focusing on her children and creating a new home was really therapeutic and she could see herself pursuing a career in interior decorating.
‘Her friends always ask her for tips and it makes her happy. It has always been a passion.’
But the source did reveal that Christine said the holidays will be a “challenge” for her without Kevin this year, especially Thanksgiving because “it was such an important thing to do with family, but she’s staying strong and moving forward.”
A joint statement from Costner and Baumgartner provided to DailyMail.com at the time of the settlement read: ‘Kevin and Christine Costner have reached an amicable and mutually agreed resolution to all issues relating to their divorce proceedings.’
The couple is seen with their sons Cayden, 15; Hayes, 14; and daughter Grace, 13, in 2019
Kevin and Christine, a model and handbag designer, started dating in 1998 and married in 2004 at his Aspen ranch.
The settlement will likely be similar to one previously offered by Kevin in a June 30 letter, which would have paid her $75,000 per month in child support.
The mother of three rejected that after e.ghe enjoyed a temporary monthly payment of $129,000 and had wanted it to increase to $161,000.
Instead, after a two-day hearing in September in which both Kevin and Christine took the stand to testify, a judge ordered Kevin to pay $63,000 a month for their three children.
Under the terms of the settlement, if Christine contests the verdict, she would have to “repay Kevin more than $1 million and pay his attorney’s fees for the prenuptial agreement.”
When she heard this, “she agreed to the terms of a three-page settlement letter.”
Although the prenuptial agreement is enforceable, Christine received more than what was stipulated in the agreement.
Christine had promised to fight it out in court with a trial due to take place in December, which will no longer happen.
In July, Baumgartner was ordered by the court to vacate the former couple’s lavish $145 million California mansion.
DailyMail.com previously revealed that Baumgartner, 49, moved into the luxury four-bedroom home – after a judge in Santa Barbara, California, cut her child support payments
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s acrimonious divorce was settled, with the prenup enforced and a huge monetary fine imposed if challenged
Kevin and Christine, a model and handbag designer, started dating in 1998 and married in 2004 at his Aspen ranch.
The couple has three children: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.
In July, Christine was evicted from the couple’s $145 million mansion and moving vans were seen outside.
In her testimony on the first day, Christine said she needed more money to provide a suitable home for their three children.
She said her $40,000-a-month rent in Montecito did not compare to that of the family home and complained that her sons would have to share a bathroom.
During his testimony, Kevin apologized to his estranged wife, saying, “I want to help, but the thought of things being so bloated that I can’t do what I want to do… Somehow we haven’t made it in this unusual world and therefore, I’m sorry.’
The court also heard details of the family’s lavish spending – which totaled $240,000 per month in 2022.
The expenses include $40,000 spent on flowers and gifts every month alone, although Kevin’s forensic accountant Tracy Katz pointed out that this amount applies to the entire family, including Christine.
Katz said Christine was responsible for numerous expensive items, including $18,000 a month in medical bills, $18,855 in clothing and $3,377 in beauty treatments.
Additionally, according to Katz, Christine was responsible for the lion’s share of the $8,886 in cash withdrawn from ATMs.