It may have come as a surprise to Kevin Costner that his wife of nearly two decades, Christine Baumgartner, one fine day filed for divorce without warning; But he should be even more surprised that what he thought was going to be a peaceful process for the sake of the couple’s three children is turning into a real pitched war over Christine’s own demands for money.
The American actor and his ex-wife are locked in a legal battle over the amount that the Yellowstone star pays for the support of their children -117,862 euros, ruled by the judge- each month, with which she is dissatisfied. For the reason, Baumgartner believes that children are entitled to “luxury vacations” and “private planes” when they are with her, so she should also benefit from it.
According to the actor’s ex-wife, the couple’s three children -Cayden (16), Hayes (14) and Grace (13)- should have the same lifestyle while they live with one or the other after the divorce, which includes the vacation. Therefore, she considers that the monthly amount assigned would not be enough to cover all expenses, including her own.
“The Court is required to determine alimony at a level whereby, when the children are with Christine, they have a lifestyle relatively comparable to what they enjoy when they are with their father,” the petition by Baumgartner’s attorneys reads, according to US Weekly.
The couple will meet again on August 31, at which time Baumgartner will officially make this request, once again emphasizing the difference in potential between Baumgartner and his actor.
“The Court must allow the children to be supported at a level commensurate with Kevin’s considerable wealth, even if that level of support includes improving Christine’s quality of life,” the legal petition continues.
For Baumgartner, it is inconceivable that children could fly on private planes and enjoy luxury vacations when they are with their father, but not when they are with her. For this reason, her lawyers remind the judges in charge of the case that the law obliges them to compensate for this situation and do something about it.
For this reason, Baumgartner asks that the amount of the pension be increased to 175,057 dollars a month (about 160,322 euros, in exchange), which “will not be enough to replicate Kevin’s lifestyle”, but to give a style of life to children.
The petition comes after Baumgartner accused the Dances with Wolves star of hiding his fortune so he wouldn’t have to deal with his expensive divorce.
The couple began their relationship in 1998, and from the beginning, Costner revealed that his wife had always been very clear with him about his priorities in life, which were to maintain a serious relationship and start a family. After dating for six years, before she gave him an ultimatum and the actor decided to take the final step, they got married in 2004.
Their relationship has been at least idyllic for the last two decades, with their three children and very focused on their family life. The reasons that could have precipitated their divorce, only they know; but just a few months ago they both posed at different events and there was nothing to suspect that things were going wrong between them. This will be the second divorce for Costner, following his marriage to Cindy Silva, which ended in 1994.
