Judge delivers blow to Kevin Costner’s estranged wife’s $270k demand

Kevin Costner’s estranged wife fought for $270k in monthly payments from the actor, arguing a luxurious life was in their kids’ “DNA”. But a judge showed no mercy.

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner are in the midst of a messy divorce. Picture: David Livingston/Getty Images

Kevin Costner has reportedly been ordered to pay his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, $97,800 per month in child support following a lengthy and contentious legal battle.

The Los Angeles judge overseeing the divorce case made the decision Friday, granting the actor’s proposed amount, according to TMZ.

During his testimony in court, the Yellowstone star reportedly said he wanted to pass his properties down to his children and insisted, “I don’t hide money from my wife.”

Page Six has reached out to Costner’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.

The ruling came as a win for the actor, who had been tentatively ordered to make monthly payments of $200,795 to the former handbag designer for their three kids — Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13 — in July.

Kevin Costner will not pay $97,800 per month to his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation

However, earlier this week, Baumgartner, 49, filed a request to increase that amount to $270,900, saying she wanted their brood to “enjoy the same lifestyle” with both parents.

During a court hearing Thursday to discuss her request, Baumgartner reduced that figure to $250,000 following a forensic accountant’s latest assessment.

Still, she argued that living a luxurious life “is in their [kids’] DNA at this point.”

Baumgartner then listed all the sports in which the teens are involved as well as the houses the family owns, going on to claim that her motive was about “so much more” than material things.

“It’s an experience,” she said in court, describing the family home as a “community.”

“We create whatever we can dream up in here,” she added, insisting that the court order “must allow the children to be supported at a level commensurate with Kevin’s considerable wealth, even if that level of support also improves [my] standard of living.”

According to Baumgartner, that “standard of living” should include a house “comparable” to Costner’s $224 million home and “luxury vacations” chartered on private planes.

Baumgartner said a luxurious lifestyle was in her kids’ “DNA”. Picture: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

Citing their $200,275 agreement and the potential financial benefits of Baumgartner’s alleged new romance, Costner, 68, felt that an increase was not necessary.

In fact, he previously argued that $80,000 per month was the more “reasonable” amount and accused Baumgartner of asking for more money to fund her own expenses, including plastic surgery.

Meanwhile, Baumgartner recently accused the actor of “withholding” evidence related to his business dealings, claiming that his net worth actually quadrupled to $619 million throughout their almost 19-year marriage.

The former model filed for divorce from the Oscar winner in May after they tied the knot in September 2004.

The pair signed a prenuptial agreement, which reportedly details how much Baumgartner gets from Costner for spousal support and outlines her post-split living situation.

However, she recently tried to challenge that as well, telling the court that she may have not “understood” what she signed.

This story originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission