Judge Thomas Anderle ruled in favor of Kevin Costner, setting his new monthly child support payments to $63,209. This ruling came after two days of testimony in divorce proceedings between Conster and his estranged wife.
In May of this year, Conster’s wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner, filed for divorce. The reason she cited was “irreconcilable differences”. During a hearing that included child custody Baumgartner requested $248,000 per month for child support for their three children.
At that time Costner had offered $51,000 a month and the judge set the temporary amount to $129,755 a month. This new child support amount is quite a lot less than what Baumgartner was hoping for.
During Friday’s hearing, Costner was questioned about his finances. From his responses, it appears the actor doesn’t really know how much he earns or spends.
The discussion of a possible switch of homes between the pair came up. Baumgartner moved into her rental property after she was court-ordered to vacate from the family home. Costner shared he didn’t wish to make the switch as they had raised their three children in the beach club compound and wished to stay there. He noted that the rental property is “lovely” and “comparable” to the compound but “not equal”.
Baumgartner was questioned about her alleged “boyfriend” as well as her future plans for employment. She explained that the alleged “boyfriend” has been a family friend for “seven to eight years”.
Sadly this is not the end of the divorce settlement, but it is a win for Costner.
