With Kevin Costner's role in "Yellowstone" ending, he "can't afford" to meet his estranged wife's six-figure-per-month child support demands.
Christine Baumgartner, Kevin's wife of 18 years, is requesting $248,000 per month in child support, but the actor says he's in no financial situation to fork over that kind of dough.
"I will earn substantially less in 2023 than I did in 2022. This is because I am no longer under contract for Yellowstone, the principal source of my income last year," he stated in court documents filed this week, which were obtained by Page Six. Christine, he added, "understood" that this upcoming year would be "a difficult year financially" because the "Yellowstone" checks are no longer flooding in.
Kevin has played family patriarch John Dutton since the hugely-popular series began. Earlier this year, "Yellowstone" producers announced the show would end with its fifth season.
In arguing that Christine's demand is "astonishing," Kevin says his ex doesn't have a clear picture of his bank account. In fact, he plainly says he can't "afford to pay those amounts and pay my living and business expenses without liquidating assets."
Kevin and Christine share three children, Cayden 16, Hayden 14, and Grace, 13. He recently alleged that her financial ask wasn't necessarily for the children, but rather for her extravagant lifestyle. The Oscar winner said Christine spends more than $100,000 in cosmetic surgery procedures, and has dropped thousands of dollars on other things that have "nothing" to do with the children.
The former couple's divorce has gotten ugly. In mid-June, TMZ reported that Christine is refusing to leave the marital home she shares with Kevin — this despite a prenuptial agreement clearly stating that she needs to vacate the home within 30 days.
The website obtained documents revealing the Oscar-winning star asked the court to essentially force Christine out, alleging that she's had plenty of time to vacate the home. Plus, Kevin claimed he'd already given his ex nearly $1.5 million for a new place, per his obligations under the prenup.
In court docs obtained this week by Radar Online, Christine —who admits to having no income — argued that she'll happily leave as long as Kevin complies "with whatever support and fee orders that the court makes on July 12."
"Kevin wants me to rent place without financial plan in place. However, have our three children to think about. It is contrary to their best interests to commit to rental that may not be able to afford, particularly as that would ultimately lead to multiple relocations," she said. "My goal has been and continues to be maintaining as much stability for our children as possible, which includes having the proper resources and plan in place so that can establish stable home for them, rather than making temporary and inconsistent housing arrangements."