Kevin Costner has been ordered by a judge to pay his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner $129,000 a month in child support.
According to previous reports, Baumgartner was seeking $248,000 a month for their three children: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.
The Oscar-winning star, 68, initially offered $38,000 which was then increased to $52,000 but his ex, 49, claimed that he “spends $240,000 a month on himself and the kids when they’re with him.”
Costner then claimed that Baumgartner’s refusal to leave their beachfront property in California is a breach of their pre-nuptial agreement.
A judge has now ruled that the star is to pay his ex $129,755 a month in child support but the decision is pending another hearing.
The former couple will share equally on their children’s healthcare expenses, their private tuition fees, and any other activities.
According to reports, Costner has also been ordered to pay Baumgartner $200,000 for attorney’s fees and $100,000 for forensic costs.
Baumgartner was reportedly seeking $248,000 a month in child support because their children had become accustomed to a lifestyle that is well-maintained by a team of staff.
She was ordered to vacate their California property, as Costner alleged that according to their pre-nuptial agreement, Baumgartner was obligated to do so within 30 days after filing for divorce.
The mother’s attorneys then explained: “Christine understands that at some point in the future, she and the children will have to move out of the family home.
“She cannot do so at this early stage of the case because she does not have sufficient funding to secure housing that will ensure the children can maintain similar standards of living in the parties’ respective homes.”
Costner’s attorneys insisted that she ‘can afford to move.’
“She has at her disposal almost $1.5m in cash to find alternative housing. Multiple four-bedroom, four-bathroom lovely homes are presently available, located in close proximity to Kevin’s separate property residence… Kevin made multiple offers to assist her in relocating,” his legal team said in a statement.
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