Kevin Costner’s attorney blasts Christine Baumgartner’s request for $885K in legal fees
Kevin Costner’s attorney strongly criticized Christine Baumgartner’s request for the actor to pay his estranged wife a reported $885,000 in legal fees. Baumgartner’s legal team argued that she would be charged this substantial amount to argue against their prenuptial agreement, but Costner’s attorney, Laura Wasser, countered that the fee in question would be absurd. According to TMZ, Wasser argued that Baumgartner’s legal team would have to put in 1,106 billable work hours to justify charging her that amount based on their hourly rates. Wasser labeled Baumgartner’s request as “outrageous,” especially since the judge had already deemed their prenup enforceable. Wasser also alleged that Baumgartner had no grounds to stand on and should give up.
Baumgartner claimed that her legal fees amounted to $855,000 and asked Costner to cover the costs. However, Costner’s lawyer argued that the amount Baumgartner requested was “outrageous.”
Baumgartner, 49, has not had any success in her bitter divorce battle against the “Yellowstone” star. In May, she filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage and requested joint custody of their three children: Cayden, 15, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. Costner, 68, was allegedly “blindsided” as he had planned to file for divorce first. The “Yellowstone” star has already won the child support battle against his estranged wife.
Baumgartner had contested their prenuptial agreement. According to a source, she “sneak attack[ed]” Costner by serving him with her own divorce papers, leaving him shocked.
While Baumgartner may have tried to come out on top in the divorce, it is actually Costner who has emerged victorious. Earlier this month, a judge granted Costner’s request to pay Baumgartner $63,209 per month in child support, despite Baumgartner’s request for nearly double that amount. Baumgartner claimed that their children were accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. Costner accused her of trying to extort more money from him to fund her plastic surgery. He also alleged that Baumgartner should be financially secure after allegedly receiving $20,000 in cash from a new boyfriend. Baumgartner claimed that Costner was withholding evidence of his finances and argued that his net worth had quadrupled to $400 million during their marriage.
In another win for Costner, Baumgartner was ordered to cover her ex-husband’s $14,237.50 in legal fees. Baumgartner, who moved into a $40,000-a-month rental home in Montecito, California, after losing the child support battle, promised to find work and discussed co-parenting plans with Costner in court. Meanwhile, Costner expressed his intention to spend more time with the children and prioritize self-care.
Kevin Costner’s lawyer skewered Christine Baumgartner’s request for the actor to pay his estranged wife an alleged $885,000 in legal fees.
After Baumgartner’s legal team claimed she will be charged the staggering sum to argue her case against the former couple’s prenuptial agreement, Costner’s high-powered attorney Laura Wasser argued in a new filing that the fee in question would be absurd, according to TMZ.
Wasser reportedly argued that, based on hourly rates, Baumgartner’s legal team would have to put in 1,106 hours of billable work hours to justify charging her that amount.
The legal eagle dubbed Baumgartner’s request for Costner to cover her steep legal bill as “nothing short of outrageous,” noting that the judge already deemed their prenup enforceable.
Wasser also alleged that Baumgartner has no leg to stand on and should just throw in the towel.
Baumgartner, 49, hasn’t had any victories in her nasty divorce battle against the “Yellowstone” star.
In May, she filed for divorce from Costner after 18 years of marriage and asked for joint custody of their three kids: Cayden, 15, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.
Costner, 68, was reportedly “blindsided” as he was allegedly planning on filing for divorce first.
A source told The Sun in June that the handbag designer “sneak attack[ed] him and serve[d] him with her own set of divorce papers,” and that Costner was “so shocked.”
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While Baumgartner may have attempted to come out on top amid the divorce, it’s actually Costner who has triumphed amid the breakup.
Earlier this month, a judge accepted Costner’s request to pay Baumgartner $63,209 per month in child support after Baumgartner had requested to receive nearly double.
She had brashly argued that a luxurious lifestyle “is in their [kids’] DNA at this point” and that both parents should be able to provide their kids with all of the lavishness “comparable” to Costner’s $145 million home and “luxury vacations” chartered on private planes.
Costner quickly hit back, accusing Baumgartner of wanting more money to fund her own plastic surgery. He also claimed in court docs that Baumgartner should be sitting pretty after she allegedly received $20,000 in cash from a new boyfriend.
Baumgartner claimed that the Oscar winner was “withholding” evidence of his finances and alleged that his net worth had quadrupled to $400 million throughout their marriage.
In another victory for Costner, Baumgartner was ordered to cover the cost of her ex’s $14,237.50 in legal fees.
Baumgartner, who moved into a $40,000-a-month rental home in Montecito, Calif., after losing her child support battle, promised to “enter the workforce” while discussing future co-parenting plans with Costner in a courtroom.
Meanwhile, Costner shared his plans to “spend more time with the children” and take more time for himself.
