LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner's lawyer Laura Wasser has criticized the actor's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner for her demand that he pay a substantial $885,000 in legal fees.
This demand comes after Baumgartner was recently ordered to pay a $14,000 sanction. She has filed a request with a judge asking her 68-year-old former husband to cover her legal fees, a move Wasser deems outrageous.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's legal dispute
The central issue revolves around the enforceability of Baumgartner's waiver of spousal support, according to TMZ. Wasser deems the request excessive and "outrageous," considering hourly rates would require Baumgartner's lawyers to accumulate 1,106 billable hours to justify this amount.
Moreover, Wasser asserts that a judge has previously upheld the enforceability of the prenuptial agreement in question.
Earlier in July, a judge enforced a provision of the prenuptial agreement, stipulating that in the event of divorce, Baumgartner had a set number of days to vacate the family home.
Baumgartner argued she "will move in due course, but this is a major undertaking and can only be accomplished with careful planning."
However, the judge disagreed, enforcing the provision and setting the deadline for her to vacate the home she shared with Costner.
This ruling could potentially indicate that the entire prenuptial agreement is enforceable, posing another setback for Baumgartner.
Wasser revealed that Costner has already paid $300,000 for Baumgartner's legal fees and accused her of withdrawing over $105,000 from Costner's accounts for her legal team.
These legal battles have reportedly cost Baumgartner more than what she would have received in a settlement with Costner.
Child support battle
Initially, Baumgartner sought $248,000 per month in child support for their three children, Cayden Wyatt (15), Hayes Logan (14), and Grace Avery (13). Costner and his legal team contested this amount, proposing $63,000 per month, which a judge ultimately ruled as the appropriate figure.
Costner also offered $75,000 per month, which Baumgartner declined.
The 68-year-old actor was recently seen in a luxury suite at SoFi Stadium during Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour stop, accompanied by his 13-year-old daughter, Grace, and a friend.
During the concert, they enjoyed a performance of Swift's 2012 hit song 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together', with Costner sporting a wry smile as his daughter sang along.
