Kevin Costner Accuses Estranged Wife Christine of "Relentless" Hostility Amid Divorce Court Hearing

Kevin Costner spoke out against his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner, alleging she has engaged in a "relentless ‘jihad'" against the actor, per legal documents obtained by Fox News and TMZ.

By Lindsay Weinberg Sep 01, 2023 10:07 PMTags
Watch: Kevin Costner Ordered to Pay Ex Wife $129K Per Month

Kevin Costner's divorce proceedings are not exactly a field of dreams.

The Yellowstone actor accused his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner of attacking his character following their split.

"Christine's relentless ‘jihad' against Kevin's character adds a level of animosity to this proceeding," Costner's lawyers wrote in legal documents obtained by Fox News Aug. 31. His legal team called her actions "wholly unnecessary, and meant to distract from the intellectual exercise at hand."

When their case headed to court Aug. 31, Baumgartner's lawyer said she is seeking $161,592 in monthly child support for their kids Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13, per Fox News. Her team stated that Costner would still be making $731,000 monthly after taxes.

On the other hand, Costner's team proposed paying her $60,000 per month during the hearing, per People.

Also during the Aug. 31 proceedings, Baumgartner, who wed Costner in 2004, took the stand and reportedly teared up.

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"It's so much more than this—it's an experience," she said while looking at photos, per People.

"We've created quite a community," she said while reflecting on their former Santa Barbara home. "We create whatever we can dream up in here."

Back in May, The Postman actor announced they were breaking up due to challenging circumstances.

"It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action," his spokesperson said in a statement to E! News at the time. "We ask that his, Christine's and their children's privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time."

Lester Cohen/Getty Images

In a court filing the next month, Baumgartner requested $248,000 monthly in child support in order to provide for their kids' healthcare, private school tuition and other extracurricular activities, per the documents obtained by NBC News. She said she has been a stay-at-home mom since 2007, when Caden was born, and has no income of her own. 

"I realize that our lifestyle is extraordinary," Baumgartner said in the legal documents, per NBC News. "I appreciate how very blessed we are to live this way. It's important to not only to provide a warm and comfortable home for our children but to also teach them family values and gratitude."

Rob Latour/Getty Images

In July, a judge made a temporary ruling that ordered Costner to pay Baumgartner $129,755 per month in child support, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Their divorce proceedings continue in court Sept. 1.

E! News has reached out to their lawyers for comment but hasn't heard back.

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