Christine Baumgartner’s Financial Strain in Legal Proceedings
Kevin Costner’s estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, finds herself inundated with legal expenses. In a revelation through recent court documents obtained by ET, she disclosed that her outstanding legal fees amount to a staggering $314,113. To cover these costs and potential future legal bills, Baumgartner is requesting a hefty sum of $855,000 from the “Yellowstone” actor. If granted, the excess amount of approximately $541,887 would be reserved for any upcoming legal charges as their ongoing divorce battle unfolds.
Costner’s Financials: A Point of Contention
Baumgartner’s documentation paints a picture of tension between the two parties. In it, she alleges Costner’s consistent use of “insults and inflammatory language”. She emphasizes the essential Family Code requirement that maintains both sides should have equal footing in terms of legal fees. Baumgartner expresses concern, stating, “…Kevin’s lawyers provide no updated information about the fees and costs that Kevin has devoted to this case.” According to her, by July’s end, Costner had already accrued a whopping $644,000 in fees, essentially doubling her expenses.
Supporting her claims, she refers to an image from an event at the El Capitan Theatre in 2019, where the couple was seen with their children – Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. The snapshot, highlighting happier times, further contrasts the ongoing legal quagmire.
A Peek into the Legal Wrangle
Baumgartner also underscores the opaque nature of Costner’s legal finances, revealing that there has been “ZERO information as to how much Kevin has spent on fees and costs since August 1st” or any details about budgeting for the imminent trial. Her documents assertively state, “…Kevin should be ordered by the court to pay Christine’s past and future fees in a lump sum no later than September 21, 2023.”
Baumgartner’s request was earlier labeled as “outrageous” and “nonsensical” by the “Dances with Wolves” actor. Costner questioned the necessity of such a sum, specifically referring to Baumgartner’s estimate of 1,106 attorney hours at $800 per hour for the upcoming trial. However, Baumgartner has since clarified that not all of the $855,000 would be allocated just for this trial.
What Lies Ahead?
This debate over legal fees seems to be just a snippet of a more extensive dispute. With a hearing scheduled for Wednesday in the Santa Barbara court, all eyes will be on this high-profile separation’s next developments. Both parties, accompanied by their attorneys, will present their cases, continuing the saga that has captured significant media attention.
Source: ETOnline
