Kevin Costner has been ordered to pay his estranged wife, Christine, a staggering $63,000 per month in child support. The judge’s decision came after Christine had previously requested an even higher amount of $162,000 per month amid the couple’s intense legal battle over how much the actor’s wife is entitled to. This included expenses and properties. While Kevin argued that an increase in child support was unnecessary due to Christine’s financial assistance and their current agreement, she claimed that she needed more money to provide for their children with a lifestyle comparable to Kevin’s.
During the court proceedings, “The Bodyguard” star accused Christine of deceiving him about her finances, alleging that she received $20,000 in cash from her new boyfriend. He also alleged that Christine’s desire for more money was driven by her desire for plastic surgery and other expenses unrelated to the children. On the other hand, Christine denied dating her new boyfriend and emphasized that the additional funds were necessary so that the kids’ lifestyle wouldn’t change now that they’ve split.
Kevin testified that their properties were comparable but not equal. In her request for child support, Christine is said to have initially suggested that she should receive $248,000 per month, citing the need to cover private-school tuition, extracurricular activities, sports, and healthcare expenses for their three kids. According to court documents, Kevin’s income for 2022 was listed at over $19 million, while their family’s expenses were reported to be $6.6 million. It is worth noting that no request for spousal support was mentioned.
While he stated that he would not live in the rental home himself, he admitted that there were certain features he liked about it. Christine’s attorney argued that the children had become accustomed to a certain lifestyle and required financial support to maintain it.
As part of their ongoing divorce proceedings, Kevin’s legal team had previously requested that Christine vacate the shared house owned by the actor, as per their prenuptial agreement. In addition to the monthly child support payments of $38,000, Kevin has already paid Christine $1 million as stipulated in their premarital agreement.
The court ultimately decided on a child support amount of $63,000 per month, significantly less than what Christine had initially requested but still a substantial sum. This decision highlights the complexities and challenges involved in determining child support payments in high-profile divorces. As the legal battle continues, it remains uncertain how this ongoing dispute will ultimately be resolved.