Kevin Costner divorce: Judge says awarding estranged wife Christine Baumgartner with $161k-per-month in child support would be ‘disguised spousal support’ as he explains $63k-per-month decision

A judge said that both Kevin Costner and his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner appeared credible in the testimony they gave at a recent child support hearing amid their ongoing divorce.

Judge Thomas P. Andle said in a court filing Tuesday reviewed by People that he found both the Academy Award-winning actor, 68, and Baumgartner, 49, credible after they made statements in court at California Superior Court in Santa Barbara over two days last week.

Baumgartner, a handbag designer, and the Field of Dreams actor share three children: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

The judge issued a ruling Friday in line with Costner’s requests, awarding Baumgartner $63,209 in monthly child support, less than half of the $161,592 she asked for.

At the hearing, the trial judge said Baumgartner displayed “good behavior in the courtroom” and that he found her testimony “credible.”

Baumgartner’s testimony, while clear, “didn’t have much use in the matter in court,” the judge said, adding that he would “weigh her testimony against all the evidence in this case.”

Judge Anderle said that before reviewing the materials, he recognized Costner as a “professional actor” and “weighed that into the decision-making process when assessing his credibility.”

The judge said he did not believe Costner had “embellished his testimony by relying on his appeal,” and that it was “straightforward, credible and consistent.”

Costner and Baumgartner “made powerful closing arguments,” the judge said.

The judge said that in the ruling he issued, the “reasonable needs of the children are fully met by this child support order,” and that any higher amount would essentially be “disguised spousal support.”

Baumgartner “will have the opportunity to convince the Court that she is entitled to spousal support,” the judge said, adding that this “was not the issue before this hearing.”

Baumgartner testified that their children’s quality of life would be affected by a serious loss of money.

She said she’s “being conservative” by renting a house for $40,000 a month after moving out of the house she previously shared with Costner.

“I was very unsure about what I will get and what the outcome of this case will be,” she told the court.

Baumgartner said in legal papers filed with California Superior Court last month that the actor withheld documents in the case, People reported Wednesday after reviewing legal documents.

Baumgartner — who has publicly clashed with Costner over her living situation since the split — has asked for documents detailing “his future endeavors and projected earnings” on projects such as his upcoming Horizon film series.

Baumgartner requested the court order Costner to share the requested documents.

Baumgartner’s legal team said Costner has “held back” them from sharing relevant information with a child support hearing scheduled for next week, and a November hearing that will scrutinize the premarital agreement in the case. taken.

Baumgartner has said she felt pressured to sign the prenup, which will give her a $1.5 million payout if the marriage ends.

In legal filings, Baumgartner’s attorneys said Costner “has requested a multi-day evidentiary hearing on (Baumgartner’s) child support request, at which time the Court will receive evidence on (Costner’s) gross cash flow available for support and expected future income.” ‘

The attorneys said the court will have to receive “evidence relating to those circumstances in order to reach a verdict,” but that Baumgartner “will not be able to present any evidence that (Costner) has withheld from discovery.”

The actor, who earned about $20 million in 2022, said he will earn “substantially less” money since he quit Yellowstone.

Baumgartner’s legal team asked for information about Horizon — noting that “such documents prove its future endeavors and expected earnings” — and said Costner’s team withheld it.

Baumgartner’s legal team cited materials they say depicted Costner’s lawyers resisting a request to turn over the documents detailing his potential earnings at Horizon.

A lawyer for the Bull Durham actor said the request seeks documents that are irrelevant as the parties have entered into a prenup which limits spousal support and stipulates that all income earned during the marriage earned, it would be separate property of the husband who earned it. the income and the provision of no community of property.’

Costner’s attorney described some of the requests as “burdensome, oppressive and intimidating.”

Baumgartner’s legal team said Costner’s team submitted some of the requested material, but stopped providing details about Horizon.

Costner’s attorney told the court on Aug. 18 that “these documents do not affect Christine’s application for child support and her ability to calculate Kevin’s gross cash flow available for child support.”

Baumgartner has also asked for $9,000 in legal fees that she earned during the specific part of the divorce where she requested Costner’s documents related to Horizon.