The public image of Kevin Costner, the acclaimed actor and filmmaker best known recently for his role as John Dutton in Yellowstone, was significantly altered by the tumultuous and highly publicized dissolution of his marriage to Christine Baumgartner. After 18 years, the once seemingly rock-solid union crumbled, leading to a contentious legal battle that unveiled intricate details of their shared life, finances, and the demanding nature of Costner’s career. The divorce proceedings, finalized in February 2024, became a saga marked by fierce disputes over finances, property, and the very definition of an “accustomed lifestyle.”

Christine Baumgartner initiated the divorce filing in early May 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences” and listing their date of separation as April 11, 2023. The news came as a shock to many, including Costner himself, who reportedly stated through his representative that the circumstances were “beyond his control.” This marked Costner’s second divorce, following a significant settlement from his first marriage in 1994, which likely informed the stringent prenuptial agreement he had in place with Baumgartner. The couple, who wed in September 2004, share three children: sons Cayden Wyatt and Hayes Logan, and daughter Grace Avery. Both Costner and Baumgartner promptly sought joint custody of their children, signaling a shared desire to co-parent despite the escalating animosity.

A significant undercurrent throughout the divorce was the strain Costner’s demanding work schedule placed on the marriage. Sources close to the family indicated that Baumgartner had expressed unhappiness with Costner’s prolonged absences due to filming commitments, particularly his intensive work on Yellowstone and his passion project, the multi-movie epic Horizon: An American Saga. While fan theories initially linked the divorce directly to the announced end of Yellowstone’s fifth season, insiders clarified that the split and the show’s conclusion were unrelated, though Costner’s career demands undoubtedly contributed to the marital tension. “During filming, Kevin is not around very much. His absence has been very hard for her,” a family source revealed, adding that Christine was particularly concerned about his deep immersion in Horizon. This dedication was further underscored by Costner’s audacious decision to personally mortgage his 10-acre oceanfront property in Santa Barbara to help fund the production of Horizon, a move that “threw his accountant into a conniption fit” but underscored his profound commitment to the project. This self-funded venture would later become a point of contention in the financial disputes, as Baumgartner’s legal team sought to scrutinize all of Costner’s business dealings.

The immediate aftermath of the divorce filing quickly escalated into a bitter dispute over their shared Santa Barbara home, a sprawling $145 million compound. Costner’s legal team asserted that, per their prenuptial agreement, Baumgartner had 30 days to vacate the property following the divorce filing. When she allegedly failed to do so, Costner claimed it was an attempt to coerce him into accepting “various financial demands.” He went above and beyond the prenup’s stipulations, offering her an additional $1 million and $30,000 per month for a rental home, along with an advance for moving costs. However, Baumgartner’s attorney countered that Costner had no “legal basis” to evict her and their children from the only home they had ever known. The legal wrangling captivated public attention, culminating in a judge ordering Baumgartner to move out by the end of July 2023, a decision Costner welcomed. Following the ruling, Baumgartner relocated to a smaller house on the same property, a temporary solution aimed at minimizing disruption for the children.

The most intensely fought battle centered on child support. Christine initially sought a staggering $248,000 per month for their three children, asserting that this sum was necessary to maintain the children’s “accustomed lifestyle.” Her legal team detailed a life of considerable affluence, citing family expenses, excluding taxes, that exceeded $6.6 million annually. This lifestyle included lavish international travel to places like the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Aspen, frequent entertaining with caterers and chefs, and the upkeep of multiple sprawling properties costing millions each year. Christine also requested that Costner cover 100% of their private-school tuition, extracurricular activities, sports, and healthcare expenses.

Costner, whose 2022 income was reported at over $19.5 million, vehemently countered by deeming her request “highly inflated and unsubstantiated.” He argued that while he was committed to providing more than bare necessities, her demands amounted to “ludicrous extravagance designed to primarily benefit the supported parent.” His proposed initial monthly child support was significantly lower, at $38,000, later adjusted to $123,620 based on his gross cash flow, and further increased to $51,940 at one point, which Christine still found “completely inappropriate.” She argued that despite Costner’s immense wealth and monthly personal spending of at least $240,000 when the children were with him, he expected his family to live on a mere 20% of that amount when with their mother. This stark contrast in financial expectations highlighted the deep divide between the estranged couple, reflecting the high stakes of a lifestyle many could only dream of.

Beyond the major property and child support disputes, smaller but equally contentious financial battles emerged. Costner’s legal team alleged that Baumgartner had been taking cash advances on credit cards issued to staff members without his knowledge, prompting him to reduce her credit card spending limit. They also pointed to a prior car purchase by Baumgartner, suggesting it was made in anticipation of the divorce, as the prenup allowed her to retain vehicles bought for her personal use. Conversely, Baumgartner accused Costner of “withholding” and “stonewalling” evidence of his financial dealings, including those related to Horizon, ahead of the crucial child support hearing and premarital agreement trial.

The prenuptial agreement itself became a battleground. Costner’s attorneys sought to compel Baumgartner to explicitly confirm her understanding of the agreement before she signed it, accusing her of “gamesmanship of the worst sort” when she claimed to have felt “pressured” despite previously admitting to signing under her own “free will.” A key clause in the prenup stipulated that the “prevailing party” in any dispute over the agreement would be reimbursed for all legal costs. Costner requested that Baumgartner pay his nearly $100,000 in legal fees related to this challenge. Ultimately, a judge ordered Baumgartner to pay a portion of Costner’s divorce attorney fees, totaling just over $14,000, underscoring the complexities and costs of the protracted legal fight.

Amidst the legal sparring, emotional moments broke through the formality of the courtroom. During the child support hearing, Baumgartner reportedly grew emotional while testifying about the family’s lifestyle, stating, “It’s so much more than this — it’s an experience,” as she referenced the “community” they had built. Costner, too, admitted during his testimony that “my world’s been a little shook up” by the split, expressing a desire to figure out how to spend more time with his children and “take some time for myself.”

The marathon of legal proceedings culminated in September 2023, when Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner announced they had reached an “amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings.” This settlement paved the way for the finalization of their divorce in February 2024, bringing an end to months of intense public scrutiny and private heartache. The resolution, while marking a new chapter for both, left a detailed paper trail of the challenges faced when Hollywood’s spotlight meets personal tribulation, especially when a demanding career, like Costner’s on Yellowstone and his ambitious Horizon project, intertwines with a family’s unraveling.