Kevin Costner is not having his best day. hours after the Yellowstone was conspicuously absent from the list of Emmy nominees this year, it was determined that he would pay more than $129,000 a month in child support to his estranged wife, Christine. The judge in their divorce case formalized his decision, Yahoo Entertainment confirmed, during a hearing Wednesday afternoon. The sizable sum is less than the nearly $250,000 a month the former handbag designer was after, but more than the the actor wanted to pay.
And after?
A hearing will be held to determine how much child support Christine really needs to care for her and Kevin’s three children – Cayden, 16, Logan, 14 and Grace, 13. According to a courtroom source, Kevin’s team said they needed two days. to prove what is financially necessary, while Christine’s lawyer said they needed four days. The judge does not have room on his schedule this year for a hearing of that length, so a date has not yet been set.
There’s a hearing on August 3 on the books regarding attorney fees. Kevin is seeking to recover $99,225 incurred in enforcing the provision of the prenup that required Christine to leave the house, according to documents obtained by Yahoo. Last week, a judge sided with the actor to say Christine had to move out of his beachfront resort in Santa Barbara, Calif., because the prenup she signed in 2004 made it clear that ‘She would leave within 30 days of filing for divorce. Christine filed on May 1, but her lawyers tried to argue that she could not afford new accommodation in the expensive neighborhood.
Christine’s $129,000 figure is not guaranteed
Yahoo’s source notes that the judge reserved the power to retroactively reduce child support if he later determines the amount exceeds what is necessary. Christine is entitled to receive a monthly amount that will allow the children to have the same standard of living when they are in her care as with their famous father. But if the judge finds $129,000 too high, Christine will have to pay Kevin the excess.
“The amount of child support is obscene, but the court had to use a formula to set child support based on Kevin’s income until it had time to hold a needs hearing. real children. Because Kevin’s income is around $2 million a month, the guideline formula has generated tremendous support,” Chris Melcher, a celebrity divorce attorney, tells Yahoo.
It’s in Christine’s interest to slow down the game process
Kevin is only required to pay child support until the kids turn 18 – which is likely why Christine is trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of the actor by challenging the child support cap. spouse allocated in their marriage contract.
“As per their prenup agreement, Christine agreed to accept $1 million if they broke up in lieu of any child support. Kevin sent her the check, but she refuses to cash it,” notes Melcher.
“It’s a dangerous game for Christine to challenge the prenup because she will be responsible for Kevin’s attorney fees if she loses.” “If Kevin wins and is awarded attorney fees, it could offset the million dollars she receives under the prenup, which could leave her with nothing.”
Can Kevin and Christine still settle out of court?
The last two months have been chaotic, there is no doubt, and there is no indication that the two parties will reach an agreement.
“The time to settle was before Christine went to court. By making her allegations in public court documents, it took away her leverage to reach a quiet settlement,” the veteran attorney shares. “Christine overplayed her hand by taking such an aggressive stance. She needs to come to the table and make a deal.”