A judge has ruled that Christine Baumgartner, the estranged wife of Hollywood star Kevin Costner, must vacate the California home they once shared. Baumgartner's allegations of Costner unfairly evicting her were dismissed as "without merit."
Court documents filed on Wednesday reveal that Baumgartner has until July 31 to leave the premises. She filed for divorce from Costner on May 1, after 18 years of marriage, attributing the split to irreconcilable differences. In response, Costner stated that he was forced to participate in a dissolution of marriage action due to "circumstances beyond his control."
A month after the divorce filing, Costner claimed in a court document that Baumgartner was refusing to leave their Carpinteria home, located near Santa Barbara, despite their prenuptial agreement. According to this agreement, Costner was to retain the property in case of divorce.
Best known for his role in Yellowstone and numerous high-profile films, Costner stated that despite multiple requests and financial aid offers, Baumgartner refused to vacate until he met "various financial demands."
The prenuptial agreement entailed that Costner pay Baumgartner $1 million post-divorce filing, provide a $200,000 deposit to help her buy a new home, and cover property taxes and homeowner's insurance for a year.
In addition, Costner offered to pay thousands in moving costs and contribute an extra $38,000 monthly for child support, beyond the $30,000 stipulated in their prenuptial agreement. The court filings also stated that he offered the assistance of his staff for her relocation.
Baumgartner initially agreed to move out by August 31 if a child support agreement was finalized, while Costner wanted her to leave by July 13. The judge's decision indicated that although Baumgartner should be granted more time, her condition to move out by the end of August was not justified under the circumstances.
The judge's decision read in part: "The Court has considered Father’s request that Mother move by July 13 but on balance she should have more time; on the other hand, Mother’s proposed conditional agreement to move out by the end of August is not warranted under these circumstances."
Costner responded to his wife's divorce filing by requesting joint custody of their three children – two sons and a daughter.
The prenuptial agreement, as highlighted by Costner's legal team, clearly outlines "separate property" belonging to the actor. According to the document, these separate assets include "miscellaneous jewelry and other personal effects," along with earnings and financial accumulation made by Costner "before marriage, during marriage, and from and after the date of separation." The agreement further notes the existence of additional separate property assets and obligations for both parties.
In addition to this, the premarital agreement holds a clause, specified in "Paragraph 9.A.", which requires Baumgartner to vacate any separate property residences owned by Costner. It is this provision that has triggered the current dispute, as Costner seeks to assert his rights to his Carpinteria home.
