Kevin Costner told his three children about his divorce from their mother during a 10-minute Zoom call, his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner claims in new court documents.
The Bodyguard actor, 68, has been embroiled in a legal battle with Christine, 49, since he filed for divorce in May after 18 years of marriage.
Now court papers show that he told their children of their split during a Zoom call, despite Christine’s hopes that they would deliver the news together.
The couple share three children together, Kayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. Costner also has four grown children from previous relationships.
According to People, Christine’s documents allege that Kevin was on location in Las Vegas for a show when she told their children of the split: ‘After 24 years of relationship, from his hotel room in Las Vegas, Kevin told our three children that we called me. The divorce was granted in a 10-minute zoom call without being present.
‘I’m still baffled by his motivation to do this with a very short Zoom session, especially as he plans to be home five days later.
LATEST LEGAL UPDATE: Kevin Costner told his three children about his divorce from their mother during a 10-minute Zoom call, his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner claims in new court documents; Photo of Costner, Christine and their three children
‘He could have easily come home from Las Vegas to have the conversation in person.’
Christine wanted to tell their children about her divorce from Kevin.
‘The welfare of the children is always my highest priority, and I was concerned that they would find out about the divorce before Kevin and I could tell them. It was important to me that we tell the kids individually and together,’ she said.
She reportedly shared her fear that their children would learn about the split through ‘outside sources’ and even detailed Costner’s articles on ‘the importance of talking to the kids as a united front’.
Christine thought she and Kevin would be able to deliver the news together, but he claims she told them without him.
He ignored my suggestion to do what I thought was right based on the research and my relationship with the children. Instead, he insisted that he had the right to tell them we were divorcing “first” and to tell them privately “without me being present.”
A source close to Kevin told People that the actor’s ex filed for divorce in May while he was filming on location, explaining that ‘she’s always Facetimes with the kids when she’s out working.’
This comes after People reported that Christine is asking for $248,000 a month to help raise their three children.
Failed team effort: Christine hoped they would be able to tell their children about the split together
Family Matters: The couple share three children together, Kayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.
According to documents obtained by the publication, Christine claims the cash being requested to care for their three children is ‘less than the amount required to maintain the lifestyle the children are accustomed to’.
She is also said to want Kevin to pay for their children’s private-school tuition, extracurricular activities, sports and health care expenses, according to court documents.
His filing revealed Kevin’s recent earnings record.
People said the documents show he earned more than $19 million in 2022 and $6,645,285 in family expenses, including chefs and trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Aspen.
Kevin’s net income after taxes was $7,595,520.
Child support: It comes after People reported that Christine is asking for $248,000 a month to help raise their three children
The Field of Dreams star previously argued in court documents obtained by Page Six that she did not want to make her financial information public for fear of causing ‘irreparable harm’ to fraudsters.
Kevin alleged that Christine spent $95,000 of his money on lawyers and a forensic accountant ‘without prior notice’.
The couple – who have a pre-nuptial agreement – are said to have agreed custody of the child, which Christine described as ‘joint’.
He is not even seeking spousal support.
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