Kevin Costner Scores Huge Win From Judge As Bitter Divorce Continues

We previously reported that the “Yellowstone” star Kevin Costner was “blindsided” when his wife Christine Baumgartner, who he was married to for 18 years, filed for divorce from him back in May. Their divorce quickly took a nasty turn, as Baumgartner allegedly refused to move out of their home despite the fact that their prenuptial agreement dictated that she do so.

Now, things are finally starting to look up for Costner, as he’s gotten some good news from the judge presiding over his divorce proceedings.

Costner’s Victory

Yahoo News reported that Judge Thomas Anderele ruled on Wednesday that Baumgartner, 49, must vacate the beachfront home that the former couple shared in Carpinteria, California. Though Costner, 68, had wanted her out by the end of the week, the judge decided to give her until July 31 to move out of the home.

This ruling has major implications for Baumgartner, as it indicates that the judge is inclined to enforce the prenuptial agreement that the couple signed before marrying back in 2004.

“It was quick to make a ruling on that point before the premarital agreement was determined to be valid,” said celebrity attorney Chris Melcher.

A hearing on the validity of the prenup has been scheduled for November 1.

A source close to Costner told People Magazine that the star “was relieved” by the judge’s ruling.

Backstory: ‘Yellowstone’ Star Kevin Costner’s Divorce Takes Nasty Turn As Wife Refuses To Move Out Of Home

Divorce Gets Messy

This came after Costner’s legal team claimed that Baumgartner “grasps at straws with one baseless argument after another” to stay in the home. They added that Costner “respectfully requests that Christine be ordered to vacate his separate property residence forthwith and no later than July 13, 2023.”

Baumgartner had previously argued that claims that she was refusing to move out of the home were “simply not true” and that she will move out of the compound by August 31 if a child-support agreement has been made. The former couple are parents to three children: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

Baumgartner has also claimed that she needs $248,000 a month in child support payments from Costner in order to create a “suitable household” for her children in the lifestyle that they’re accustomed to. Costner, however, is not having any of this.

“Guideline monthly child support based on Kevin’s gross cash flow available for support is $123,620,” his lawyers said in court documents. “Providing the minor children with more than bare necessities does not require providing ludicrous extravagance designed to primarily benefit the supported parent.”

Related: You Won’t Believe How Much Kevin Costner’s Wife Wants In Child Support Per Month

Prenuptial Agreement 

The couple’s prenuptial agreement states that Baumgartner is entitled to a sum of $1.4 million, which Costner claims he has paid. The former Dances With Wolves star’s lawyers have argued that their are homes near the family compound that Baumgartner cannot claim are unaffordable.

“Christine can afford to move,” Costner’s attorneys alleged. “She has at her disposal almost $1,500,000 in cash to find alternative housing. Multiple 4-bedroom, 4-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.”

Costner himself has claimed that Baumgartner is trying to fund her own “plastic surgery expenses of $188,500/month.”

“This is all about Christine,” said another source close to Costner. “Kevin has gone above and beyond in providing Christine the necessary means to find a suitable place for her to move.”

‘Yellowstone’ Ending

Days after Baumgartner filed for divorce, Daily Mail reported that the end of “Yellowstone” was announced by Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, who also announced that a sequel starring Matthew McConaughey will be replacing it.

“‘Yellowstone’ has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits — from ‘1883’ to ‘Tulsa King,’ and I am confident our sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan [the show’s creator] and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life,” McCarthy said.

This divorce is clearly a very messy situation for everyone involved. For the sake of Costner and Baumgartner’s three children, we can only hope that the former couple is able to come to more amicable agreements as this divorce moves forward.