Kevin Costner finally takes the stand amid ‘tricky’ divorce court battle
Kevin Costner, 68, took the stand Friday in his ongoing dramatic divorce battle with estranged wife Christine Baumgartner, 49, who was also in the courtroom.
The couple, who married in 2004 and share three kids together, began divorce proceedings in May citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Costner was questioned about his finances and expenses, which continue to be at the center of the legal fight as the couple has failed to agree on child support payments.
The actor recently starred in Paramount’s canceled hit show “Yellowstone,” raking in $1,468,953 per month.
“Somewhere along the line they wanted to change things,” Costner said of the “Yellowstone” filming process, according to Fox News.
“They wanted to do [Season] 5A and 5B. I was going to do my movie ‘Horizon’ and leave that show, do my movie, then do B. A show I was only doing once a year I was now doing twice.”
He claimed that he had been offered $24 million to do seasons five, six and seven of “Yellowstone,” but scheduling and creative issues ended the negotiations, and the show was eventually canceled.
Costner went on to shoot two “Horizon” films — they are planned to be a four-part series.
The star reportedly funded $20 million for the films and owns a third share in the franchise but has not collected the $24 million he was to bring home for both works, claiming that he has deferred payment to avoid overstretching the budget.
“I would have liked to have it. I think anyone would, but I did what I thought was right,” he told the court, according to the Daily Mail.
Costner was also questioned about his five-lot beachfront property which Baumgartner claims is worth between $75 million and $95 million.
She is reportedly renting a home for $40,000 a month, which she insists is not up to par for her and her children and aims to upgrade to a $150,000-a-month home with her requested child support payments.
Costner said that the properties were “comparable” but not “equal.”
Asked if he would swap homes with his ex, Costner, reportedly burst out laughing: “This is tricky!”
“No, I would not but not because I don’t think that home is comparable. I have raised three children in my home, their hands are in the stone. I think most people would understand that.”
But he was sure to note that Baumgartner’s home included some features that his did not.
His attorney Laura Wasser accused Baumgartner of making “unreasonable” financial demands to fund her own lavish lifestyle despite having already received a $1.5 million payout — an amount specified in the former couple’s prenuptial agreement in the event of a divorce.
Wasser called Baumgartner’s demands an “overreach” and noted that a review of the prenuptial agreement and spousal support will be reviewed in court in November.
“Even in LA, I have never seen a child support request this high,” she said.
This comes after Baumgartner formally requested a judge set a new monthly child support payment, raising the request from $129,755 to $161,592 on Thursday. Costner reportedly wants to pay $60,000 per month.
For now, Costner is scheduled to return to the stand later this afternoon as a witness for his own legal defense.
