Kevin Costner’s estranged wife Christine Baumgartner plans to ‘enter the workforce’ amid bitter divorce battle… after labeling child support cut a ‘complete joke’

Kevin Costner’s ex-wife Christine Baumgartner has revealed plans to ‘join the workforce’ amid the former couple’s bitter divorce battle.

The Yellowstone star, 68, and her ex, 49, recently attended the latest divorce hearing in which Judge Thomas Anderle halved Costner’s spousal support to Baumgartner from $129,000 to 63 $000, which the mother-of-three said she considered a “complete joke.” .’

The decision was handed down on Friday after a two-day court hearing, during which the award-winning star and the creator took to the stage to give their views on what they considered to be a ‘reasonable’ amount for the pension children’s food – as well as future plans.

While Christine was on the stand at a Santa Barbara courthouse, she admitted that she intended to go back to school and also find a job, according to People.

“I will look at the steps I need to take and the studies I need to do, and I will enter the job market,” she said while explaining how she planned to support herself after the tumultuous separation from the couple.

Future plans: While Christine was on the stand at a Santa Barbara courthouse, she admitted she plans to eventually go back to school and also find a job, according to People; seen late last month in Santa Barbara

While Kevin was on the helm, he also said “my world has been turned upside down a bit” since his wife filed for divorce earlier this year on May 1 – with the separation date set for April 11.

While discussing his next steps going forward, The Bodyguard actor said, “I have to take care of the obligations that are already in place, I have a lot of responsibilities that I have to take care of.”

“I have to figure out how I’m going to spend more time with the children and accompany them through this process. I’m going to need to take some time for myself,” he explained, adding, “I have a lot to think about: what to do versus what I want to do.”

Last week’s hearing focused on the former couple’s battle over child support, after Baumgartner requested a $129,755 per month increase in child support. At the start of the divorce proceedings, she originally asked for $248,000.

Kevin and Christine welcomed three children into their nearly 19-year marriage: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

After the judge’s ruling, the designer pledged to keep fighting ahead of another court appearance regarding the two men’s combined $1.5 million legal bill on Wednesday.

Both men are due in court to find out who will foot the bill for their attorneys’ fees – with the mother-of-three demanding the actor pay $575,000 to pay his lawyers and another $280,000 to cover the costs of the experts.

Costner, meanwhile, has racked up a $664,000 bill through the end of July, according to figures released in court last week, but said he intends to pay his own costs.

Tomorrow’s appearance follows a two-day child support hearing in which Baumgartner requested that her monthly payments be increased from the $129,000 she was entitled to to $161,000.

But, surprise, Judge Thomas Anderle reduced it to $63,000, leaving the mother of three stunned, according to a close friend.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, a source said: “Christine is shocked. She said even Kevin looked shocked. Everyone looked shocked.

The “workforce”: “I will examine the steps to be taken and the studies that I must follow, and I will enter the labor market”, she declared; seen in 2019 in Los Angeles

Battle over child support: Kevin and Christine welcomed three children during their nearly 19-year marriage: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13; seen in 2019 in Los Angeles

“To say that Christine is disappointed is an understatement. She described the decision as a real joke.

The friend added: “Christine said they (Kevin and his lawyers) painted a picture of this superficial and greedy gold digger and if Kevin could get over his anger and revenge he would see how bad it was. hurt their children.”

“She said Kevin was tearing her away from her community by making it impossible to live in a close-knit neighborhood.

“Christine said it was never about views on the beach and Kevin knows that. He knows how much the community means to Christine and this is his way of punishing her,” adding, “Christine said that the fight was far from over.”

In court, Baumgartner had argued that his new $40,000-a-month rental home in Montecito wasn’t good enough for his family – saying the kids needed beach access to maintain their style of living. life when they were with her.

During cross-examination, Baumgartner wondered if she intended to find a job to pay for her lifestyle and was forced to admit that she was just “exploring” the idea.

According to her friend, Baumgartner feels this was unfair and claims she is already working full-time as the mother of the couple’s three children.

The insider said, “Christine said Kevin is under the illusion that she wants to get away with their divorce free, so she doesn’t have to work a day in her life.” However, he seems to have forgotten that ‘she already has a full-time job, it’s called being a mother to their three children.”

“She said if anyone was playing games and attacking characters, it was Kevin, not her,” the source later added that Baumgartner thought “being a full-time mom pales in comparison. to be a famous actor.

Shortly before the official child support decision on Friday in Santa Barbara, Costner broke his silence on their divorce.

Surprise victory: But in a twist, Judge Thomas Anderle reduced it to $63,000, leaving the mother-of-three stunned, according to a close friend.

A “joke”: “To say that Christine is disappointed is an understatement. She described the decision as a real joke,” a source told DailyMail.com.

Opening: He told Access outside the courthouse: ‘It’s a horrible place, but that’s where we are. It’s so sad, we’re talking about someone I love on the other side. I just can’t”; seen in February in Beverly Hills

He said To access outside the courthouse: “It’s a horrible place, but this is where we are. It’s so sad, we’re talking about someone I love on the other side. I just can’t.

The Oscar-winning actor, who said he would “probably go to court” over the Yellowstone series, also admitted he “still has love” for his ex-wife and thinks ” everyone” wanted the divorce proceedings to be resolved.

Along with another court appearance on Wednesday, September 6, the former couple will also have a hearing in November on their prenuptial agreement.

The prenup granted the designer a one-time amount of $1.5 million in the event of a divorce as well as the first year of mortgage repayment on a property she owned worth up to $1 million.