Kevin Costner must pay estranged wife '£50k in child support' as sum is slashed

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Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner attended a court hearing recently over child support (Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner attended a court hearing recently over child support (Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

An outcome has been reached in the child support case between Kevin Costner and his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner, with her having been awarded $63,209 (£50,100) per month by a court for the former couple's three children, TMZ reported.

Kevin, 68, and Christine, 49 - whom it was announced in May would be divorcing - are understood to have attended a two-day hearing at a court in Santa Barbara, California, this week. It began on Thursday and concluded on Friday.

The hearing had been related to child support payments, with the former couple - who have been married since 2004 - sharing three children together. Kevin and Christine are parents to Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

Kevin Costner must pay estranged wife '£50k in child support' as sum is slashed etiqkzihqieeinvIt was announced earlier this year that Kevin Costner (right) and Christine Baumgartner were separating (AFP via Getty Images)

Kevin had been temporarily ordered to pay $129,000 per month (around £101,000) in child support prior to the hearing, as previously reported. Therefore his financial commitment has been more than cut in half as a result of the judge's decision in the hearing.

According to People, Christine's attorney requested in an opening statement at the hearing this week that the child support payments from Kevin be increased to $161,592 (around £127,000) per month.

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It was reported that prior to the hearing, $175,057 (around £138,000) per month had been requested on behalf of Christine. And she was previously said to be seeking $248,000 (around £195,000) per month at one point.

Outlets have stated that Kevin's lawyer was seeking a lower figure for the child support payments than his estranged wife. They are said to have proposed around $60,000 (around £47,000) per month in payments from the actor.

It was reported in July that Christine was moving out of the family home in Santa Barbara, following claims that a pre-nuptial agreement stipulated that she had a set number of days to vacate the property after filing for divorce. She was then said to be temporarily staying at a house nearby.

According to outlets such as the Daily Mail, Christine took to the stand on Thursday and detailed the former couple's lifestyle. It's said to include multiple properties and she reportedly also discussed the family's various sport interests.

Kevin Costner must pay estranged wife '£50k in child support' as sum is slashedThe former couple have been married for almost two decades (Getty Images)
Kevin Costner must pay estranged wife '£50k in child support' as sum is slashedKevin and Christine have three children together (AFP via Getty Images)

The outlet reports that Christine argued that her new home doesn't provide a "comparable lifestyle" for her kids. The outlet said that she requested more money in order to get a house that is "more than a home, it's an experience" like the marital property.

According to People, a court document obtained prior to the hearing further stated: "Christine brings this request in order to uphold these Family Law principles and to assure that the parties' three minor children will continue to have the benefit of the lifestyle that has been made possible by Kevin's substantial earnings and wealth."

And the Daily Mail reports that during cross-examination, Kevin's legal team pointed out features of her new home that are allegedly similar to the marital property. The outlet said they were attempting to prove that the property is 'comparable' and that she doesn't need monthly child support of $161,592.

Kevin also reportedly took to the stand in the case and said in his testimony that he wanted to pass down his properties to his children and remarked: "I don't hide money from my wife."

Joel Leaver

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