Kevin Costner’s Ex-Wife Seeks Increase in Child Support Amidst Divorce Battle
Actor Kevin Costner’s estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, is reportedly requesting a higher amount of child support from her famous ex amid their ongoing divorce proceedings. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Baumgartner has filed a request to amend the child support order that initially required Costner to pay $129,755 per month. She cites the desire for their three children to maintain the same lifestyle with both parents and claims that new information about Costner’s income has come to light.
Baumgartner has also accused Costner of withholding evidence related to his business dealings throughout their marriage. She alleges that Costner’s net worth has quadrupled to $400 million, surpassing the reported $250 million figure. In court records, it was revealed that Costner earned over $19.5 million before taxes in 2022 from various projects.
Initially, Baumgartner was said to be relieved by the judge’s decision regarding child support. However, her change of heart is not surprising, considering she had initially sought a much higher amount—closer to $250,000 per month. She argued that this figure was necessary to maintain their children’s accustomed lifestyle and requested that Costner fully cover their private school tuition, extracurricular activities, sports, and healthcare expenses.
Costner disagreed with Baumgartner’s proposal and deemed $51,940 per month a more reasonable amount. He accused her of requesting additional funds to cover her own expenses, including plastic surgery. The self-proclaimed stay-at-home mom, who claimed to have no income of her own, criticized Costner’s child support suggestion as inappropriate.
Baumgartner is now reportedly seeking $175,057 per month as a more suitable amount for child support. She acknowledges that it will not match Costner’s lifestyle but believes it will enable her to provide a relatively comparable lifestyle for their children.
Costner and Baumgartner were married for 18 years after tying the knot in 2004. They had a prenuptial agreement detailing spousal support and post-split living arrangements, which Baumgartner’s attorneys recently attempted to challenge, claiming she may not have fully understood its terms.
As the divorce battle between Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner continues, the court will have to consider both sides’ arguments and reach a decision regarding the child support amount. The outcome will determine the financial support provided for their three children and shape their future.
