Kevin Costner’s estranged wife Christine Baumgartner plans to ‘enter the workforce’ amid bitter divorce battle… after labeling child support cut a ‘complete joke’

Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner’s estranged wife, has revealed her plans to “enter the job market” amid the former couple’s bitter divorce battle.

The Yellowstone star, 68, and his ex, 49, recently attended the latest divorce hearing, in which Judge Thomas Anderle cut Costner’s child support payments to Baumgartner in half, from $129,000 to $63,000, which the mother-of-three said was a “complete joke.” ‘ is. .’

The ruling came on Friday after a two-day court hearing, where both the award-winning star and the designer took the stand to put their own sides to what they thought was a ‘reasonable’ child support amount. as well as plans for the future.

During the time Christine was on the stand in a Santa Barbara courthouse, she admitted that she planned to go back to school and also get a job. People.

“I’ll research whatever steps I need to take and whatever education I need, and I’ll get to work,” she said, explaining how she wanted to make a living following the couple’s tumultuous breakup.

While on the witness stand, Kevin also said that “my world has been shaken up a bit” since his wife filed for divorce earlier this year on May 1 — with the divorce date set for April 11.

While discussing his next steps in the future, the The Bodyguard actor said, “I have obligations that are already in place, I have a lot of responsibilities that I have to take care of.”

“I need to figure out how to spend more time with the kids and guide them through this process. I’m going to have to take some time for myself,” he explained, adding, “I have a lot to think about — what I need to do versus what I want to do.”

Last week’s hearing focused on the former couple’s child support battle after Baumgartner requested a $129,755 monthly child support increase. At the start of the divorce proceedings, she initially asked for $ 248,000.

Kevin and Christine welcomed three children into their nearly 19-year marriage: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

Following the judge’s ruling, the designer has vowed to continue fighting pending a new lawsuit over the couple’s $1.5 million joint legal bill on Wednesday.

The two must appear in court to hear who will foot the bill for their lawyer fees – with the mother-of-three asking the actor to set aside $575,000 to pay her lawyers and another $280,000 to cover experts’ fees to cover.

Costner, meanwhile, earned a bill of $664,000 through the end of July, according to figures aired in court last week, but said he plans to pay his own fees.

Tomorrow’s appearance follows a two-day child support hearing, in which Baumgartner asked to increase her monthly payments from the $129,000 she enjoyed to $161,000.

But in a shocking twist, Judge Thomas Anderle lowered it to $63,000, leaving the mother-of-three baffled, according to a close friend.

A source told DailyMail.com: “Christine is shocked. She said even Kevin seemed shocked. Everyone looked shocked.

To say Christine is disappointed is an understatement. She called the statement a downright joke.’

The friend added: “Christine said that they (Kevin and his lawyers) have painted the picture of this shallow, greedy gold digger and that if Kevin could get past his anger and revenge he would see how this hurts their children.” ‘

She said Kevin is ripping her out of her community by making it impossible for her to live in the tight-knit neighborhood.

Christine said this was never about the beach, and Kevin knows that. He knows how much the community means to Christine, and that this is his way of punishing her.” Christine said the battle is far from over.’

In court, Baumgartner had argued that her new $40,000-a-month rental apartment in Montecito was not good enough for her family. She said the children needed access to the beach to maintain their lifestyle while with her.

Under cross-examination, Baumgartner was questioned about whether she intended to get a job to pay for her lifestyle, and was forced to admit that she had only gotten so far as “exploring” the idea.

According to her friend, Baumgartner thinks this is unfair and says she already has a full-time job as a mother to the couple’s three children.

The insider said: “Christine said Kevin is under the illusion that she wants a free ride out of their divorce so she doesn’t have to work a day in her life. “However, he seems to have forgotten that she already has a full-time job, being a mother to their three children, that’s what it’s called.”

“She said if anyone is playing games and doing character attacks, it’s Kevin and not her,” with the source later adding that Baumgartner feels “being a full-time mom pales in comparison to being a famous actor.”

Shortly before the official ruling on child support in Santa Barbara on Friday, Costner broke his silence about their divorce.

He told Access outside the courthouse: “This is a horrible place to be, but this is where we are. It feels so bad, we’re talking about someone I love on the other side. I just can not.’

The Oscar winner, who stated that he will “probably go to court” over the Yellowstone series, also admitted that he “still has love” for his estranged wife, and that he believed “everyone” wants the divorce proceedings are resolved.

In addition to a new lawsuit on Wednesday, September 6, the former couple will also have a hearing on their prenuptial agreement in November.

The prenuptial agreement gave the designer a one-time payment of $1.5 million in the event of a divorce, and mortgage payments on a property worth up to $1 million for the first year.