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Actor Kevin Costner Claims Wife Is Violating Prenuptial Agreement
Actor Kevin Costner, who is divorcing his wife of 20 years, Christine Baumgartner, claims she is violating the terms of a prenuptial agreement the pair entered in 2004. According to the actor’s lawyers, the agreement stipulates that Baumgartner is to vacate their Santa Barbara home within 30 days of legal separation, a residence he purchased in 1988 before the marriage.
Baumgartner allegedly refuses to leave, despite numerous requests and Costner’s offer to cover all relocation expenses to a new residence. Instead, Baumgartner says she will not move out until Costner agrees to various financial demands, according to Costner’s lawyers.
The prenuptial agreement required the actor to pay his wife $100,000 on their wedding day and first anniversary and $1 million in the event of a divorce, in which he has complied. The prenup also requires Costner to pay his wife $200,000 to purchase a new home and one year of tax and insurance payments. The actor further offered to contribute $30,000 per month for a rental property as part of his child support obligation and a $10,000 advance for moving costs.
Costner asserts that when he and Baumgartner began discussing marriage, he would not marry without her assurance that he would retain his separate property residences purchased before their marriage. He claims his wife agreed to the terms.
Costner, who was previously married, did not have such an agreement with his first wife and was barred from living in his home during the divorce. According to his lawyers, he wanted to protect himself and his properties should he divorce again.
Baumgartner filed for divorce in May, citing the actor’s near continuous absence for filming multiple projects contributed to the dissolution of their marriage.
If you have questions regarding prenuptial agreements, contact Lyons & Associates, P.C. today. Call 908-575-9777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Somerville, Morristown, and Freehold, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout New Jersey.