In the sunlit streets of Santa Barbara, Kevin Costner’s court appearance turned heads, not just for the heavyweight Hollywood presence but also for the weighty matters discussed within courtroom walls. The “Yellowstone” actor, with his legal team in tow, plunged into negotiations about child support with estranged wife, Christine.
Lawyers, Lunches, and Forensic Accountants
Kevin Costner was not alone as he took a lunch break outside the Santa Barbara court. Accompanying him was his formidable team of lawyers, led by the prominent Laura Wasser. Captured by BACKGRID photographers, the imagery is as compelling as the negotiations inside the courtroom.
Kevin Costner treats his team of lawyers to lunch in Santa Barbara. – BACKGRID
However, this wasn’t a simple luncheon. The discussions inside the courtroom revolved around numbers – big numbers. Christine’s attorney, John Rydell, quoted a decreased child support request of $161,592 per month based on the latest assessment by a forensic accountant. Countering this was Costner’s legal proposition of $60,000 per month.
Diving into the Details
Christine, for her part, has been receiving $129,000 monthly in child support for their three children since filing for divorce in May. This union, which lasted 18 years, gave the world Cayden, Hayes, and Grace, who are now 16, 14, and 13 years old respectively.
The legal tug-of-war intensified when court documents released on Aug. 26 revealed Christine initially sought a hefty $175,057 monthly from the 68-year-old actor.
Christine’s court filings detailed, “forensics has determined that [Kevin’s] average cash flow available for support for the two-year period of 2021 and 2022 was $19,248,467 per year ($1,604,039 per month).”
The courtroom resonated with Rydell’s statements on how the Costner children are acclimatized to a certain way of life, emphasizing it’s “in their DNA at this point.” Christine’s poignant note that their children view the ocean as home, being mere steps away from its inviting waves, added depth to the narrative.
Reflecting on The Past
Last July, insiders revealed to PEOPLE that following their split, Christine departed from the sprawling $145 million Santa Barbara estate she shared with Kevin. This move, as outlined in their prenup, first saw her residing in a smaller abode on the property before she shifted to a rental house at $40,000 monthly.
A statement from Costner’s representative at the time of their separation shed light on the heartache involved:
“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.”
With the sun setting on this chapter of Kevin and Christine’s life, one can only hope for peaceful resolutions and the best for their children.
Source: People
