The divorce proceedings between Hollywood actor Kevin Costner and his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, have taken another turn as Baumgartner seeks $855,000 to cover legal fees and expenses. The ongoing legal battle has already accumulated significant costs, with Baumgartner now expressing her need for financial support to continue the proceedings.
Mounting Legal Costs
In recent court documents, Christine Baumgartner revealed that she currently owes $314,113 in past legal fees and expenses related to the divorce case. To address these outstanding payments and secure her legal representation moving forward, she has requested $855,000 from Kevin Costner. The remaining $541,887, if granted, will be allocated to cover future legal bills as the divorce case unfolds.
Allegations of Unfair Play
Baumgartner has accused Kevin Costner of resorting to insults and inflammatory language in the legal proceedings and disregarding the Family Code mandate that litigation should be conducted fairly concerning attorney’s fees and costs.
She argues that Costner’s lawyers have failed to provide updated information about his fees and expenses. Documents revealed that Costner had incurred $644,000 in fees and costs up until the end of July, significantly outspending Baumgartner despite her being the “out spouse.”
The Quest for Equity
In her court documents, Christine Baumgartner asserts that her legal team estimates Costner’s total fees and costs related to the case exceed $850,000. However, Costner has not provided any information regarding his spending since August 1st or his budget for the upcoming trial. To level the playing field, Baumgartner requests that the court order Kevin Costner to pay her past and future legal fees in a lump sum by September 21, 2023.
Costner’s Response
Kevin Costner has vehemently opposed Christine Baumgartner’s request for $855,000, labeling it as “outrageous” and “nonsensical.” He challenges the necessity of 1,106 hours of attorney time at $800 per hour to prepare for the upcoming trial.
Clarification on Allocation of Fees
Responding to Costner’s objections, Baumgartner clarifies that the $855,000 she requests is not solely for preparing for the November/December trial. Instead, it covers various legal expenses incurred throughout the divorce proceedings.
Upcoming Hearing
The matter of attorney’s fees and legal costs in the divorce case between Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner is set to be addressed at an upcoming hearing scheduled for Wednesday in Santa Barbara court.
As the legal battle between the estranged couple continues, the financial aspect of legal fees adds another layer of complexity to their separation. The outcome of the upcoming hearing will play a significant role in determining how these costs are allocated between the parties involved.
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