Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner.
Shutter (2)by Kevin Costner separated wife, Christine Baumgartnerclaimed the actor had no “legal” right to evict him – and their three children – from the family’s longtime home.
“This RFO (request for an order) seeks to evict Christine and their three children from the home the children have lived in all their lives,” John RydelBaumgartner’s attorney, wrote to the court from documents obtained by Initiated Friday, June 16. “Although the legal basis for Kevin’s request to evict his wife and children from their home is virtually non-existent, it remains a matter of critical importance to Christine.”
Rydell’s comments came from a Wednesday, June 14 filing by the former model. In the documents, Rydell criticized Costner’s attorney, Laura Waterfor not agreeing to delay a hearing where a judge will decide to grant Yellowstone asks star to ban her ex from living on her Santa Barbara estate, according to Initiated.
Earlier this week, We Weekly confirmed that Costner, 68, filed documents claiming that Baumgartner, 49, refused to leave the premises. THE Bodyguard noted that the former couple’s prenup states that Baumgartner has 30 days after filing for divorce to vacate their property.
According to Costner, the handbag designer would use the situation to force him into “various financial demands.” The Golden Globe winner said he would ‘contribute as part of his child support obligations $30,000 a month for a rental home and is willing to advance an additional $10,000 for moving expenses’ .
THE dance with wolves The actor also claimed that Baumgartner had “withdrawn from my bank account and charged my credit card a total of $95,000, payable to his divorce attorneys and his forensic accountant” since April 2023, according to documents obtained by We at the time. The California native noted that the alleged action was “done without notice.”
“Kevin is simply asking Christine to honor her commitments to him, by leaving his house of separate ownership. He offered financial assistance to help with the transition,” the filing claims, adding that Costner “continued to pay 100% of the children’s expenses.”
We confirmed in May that Baumgartner had filed for divorce from Costner after nearly 19 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. According to court documents, Baumgartner said the couple separated on April 11. They are seeking joint physical and legal custody of their children: sons Cayden, 15, and Logan, 14, and daughter Grace, 12. (The Oscar winner also shares daughters Annie, 39, and Lily, 36, and son Joe, 35, with their ex-wife. Cindy Silva and son Liam, 27, with his ex Bridget Rooney).
Costner, for his part, responded to the divorce filing via a statement from his rep in May, saying the split was not his decision.
“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have arisen which have required Mr. Costner to participate in a marital dissolution action,” the statement read. “We ask that his privacy, that of Christine and that of their children be respected as they go through this difficult time.”
Later that month, a source exclusively said We that the duo’s split was “surprising” because “everyone thought Kevin and his wife were super happy”, adding that Costner is “blindsided” but “loves” his wife and is “trying to get her back”.
The director has often gushed about Baumgartner over the years. In January, he praised the Cat Bag Couture founder for throwing him a party at their house when he couldn’t attend the Golden Globes due to flooding in Santa Barbara.
“My wife – with $30 – went to the store, I’ll never forget, and she bought about 30 balloons because it was just us and our family in the den watching the Golden Globes,” Costner – who won Best Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Yellowstone — gushed via Instagram a month after the awards show.
Costner and Baumgartner first met in the ’90s, but didn’t start dating until several years later. Before getting married, they briefly called him before quickly reconciling.
“Fear kept me from marrying Christine. [She] I wanted a child, but I was afraid of not being an effective father, ”recalls the director. Closer Weekly in June 2018. “I woke up and thought, ‘Am I going to lose a beautiful woman who is ready to be with me until my last breath because I’m afraid to say yes to a child ?’ That’s all it took.Sometimes you learn that the thing you fear the most will save your life.
Costner then got candid about what he considers the secret to a successful marriage. “I know it sounds so simple. If you’re ready to tell someone you love them, are you also ready to say you’re sorry? You have to do it, even when you think you’re right,” he said. Parade in May 2012.