Kevin Costner’s estranged wife claims he has no ‘legal basis’ to kick her out of home

Kevin Costner’s estranged wife claims the Yellowstone actor cannot legally force her to leave their $211 million marital home in Santa Barbara.

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards in 2022. Picture: David Livingston/Getty Images

Kevin Costner’s estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, claimed the Yellowstone actor cannot legally force her to leave his $US145 million ($211 million) Santa Barbara home.

According to court documents obtained by Insider as reported by Page Six, Baumgartner’s lawyer, John Rydell, argued that Costner’s recent request for order (RFO) “seeks to kick Christine and their three children out of the house that the children have lived in for their entire lives”.

“Although the legal basis for Kevin’s request to kick his wife and children out of their home is all but non-existent, this is still a matter of critical importance for Christine,” Rydell added in the docs filed on Wednesday, per the outlet.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner started dating in 1998 and got married six years. Picture: David Livingston/Getty Images

Rydell also reportedly criticised Costner’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, for not agreeing to delay the upcoming hearing for the case, in which a judge will decide Baumgartner’s fate.

Rydell and Wasser did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

The filing came just one day after TMZ obtained documentation of the actor, 68, asking the court to help kick his soon-to-be ex-wife out of his home.

Costner said that, per their longstanding prenup, the former model agreed to vacate their home within 30 days after filing for divorce.

Given that Baumgartner filed to terminate their marriage on May 1, she was supposed to move out by the beginning of June – yet she is still residing at the property.

Aerial views of Kevin Costner’s coastal estate located in Carpinteria, California, which he shares with his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner.

Costner further alleged that Baumgartner is using her position as leverage to make him agree to her “various financial demands” – despite already giving her over $US1.2 million ($1.7 million) for his prenuptial obligations.

Per the documents, Costner even offered to give his ex a $US10,000 ($14,000) advance toward her moving costs as well as $US30,000 ($43,000) per month for a rental house “as part of his child support obligations”.

The Bodyguard star, who has a reported net worth of $US250 million ($363 million), also accused the designer of secretly spending nearly $US100,000 ($145,000) of his money in an effort to cause him “irreparable harm” amid their bitter divorce.

The couple share three children together. Picture: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

Last month, Baumgartner decided to end their 18-year marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split.

In the filings, she reportedly asked for joint custody of their three kids, Cayden, 15, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 12, but not spousal support.

Sources told Page Six at the time that Costner was “stunned” by his wife’s decision to end their marriage and that he still “loves [Baumgartner] and he loves his children”.

Although there were rumours of infidelity playing a role in their split, a longtime friend told us, “There was no issue of cheating at all.”

The former couple started dating in 1998 and got married six years later at the actor’s 160-acre ranch just outside Aspen, Colo. – which he is now renting for a colossal $US36,000 ($52,000) per night.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission