If you build it, they will come, and they won’t leave. Kevin Costner has found himself in a field of nightmares as his divorce from Christine Baumgartner gets more and more complicated. The latest twist? She won’t leave their house.
Baumgartner has been married to the Yellowstone actor since 2004, though it’s his name, not hers, that appears on the deeds to their three homes, per TMZ. According to the terms of the prenup she signed, Baumgartner was supposed to vacate the house—a $145 million estate in Santa Barbara—on May 30, 30 days after she filed her divorce petition on May 1. Well, it’s nearly the end of June, and she’s still there. Look, packing is time-consuming!
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 01: (L-R) Grace Avery Costner, Kevin Costner, Hayes Logan Costner, Christine Baumgartner, and Cayden Wyatt Costner attend the premiere of 20th Century Fox’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain” at El Capitan Theatre on August 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Costner apparently bought the property back in 1988, before he even met his soon-to-be-ex-wife, so it’s definitely his. But, as in most divorce proceedings, it comes down to a matter of money. Costner’s legal team filed a petition to remove her from the home, citing her “various financial demands” she’s using as leverage. According to them, he’s already fronted her nearly $1.5 million and is willing to add $30k/month to his child support payments so she could rent a place. Which seems like a lot of money, and it is, but remember, this is Southern California. Anything with a view costs a kidney.
ASPEN, CO – SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kevin Costner poses with his new wife Christine Baumgartner during their private wedding at his ranch in September 25, 2004 in Aspen, Colorado. (Photo by Lara Porzak/Rogers and Cowan via Getty Images)Getty Images
