Kevin Costner’s estranged wife Christine has been ordered to pay a portion of the actor’s divorce attorney fees, totaling $14,237.50.
The latest development in their contentiousdivorce battleresulted in Judge Thomas Anderle’s ruling on Wednesday that Christine, 49, must cover over $14K of Kevin’s legal costs that he says he accrued while trying to obtain answers about her understanding of their prenuptial agreement.
Judge Anderle, during the ruling, emphasized that this is “certainly a case of consequence.”
The document specified the legal fees totaled $14,237.50, further stating, “Discovery is not a game of chicken. Kevin should never have been required to spend money to file a motion.”
Europa Press via Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
They further called outKevin’s requestto have Christine pay that amount: “Kevin asserts that he should not have to pay fees and costs for Christine to challenge the validity of the PMA. He also regularly claims that the PMA is valid and that there is no evidence to the contrary. This is the legal equivalent of whistling past the graveyard.”
Kevin Costner and Christine.Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock
Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Married since 2004, the exes share threechildren: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.
During a two-day Santa Barbaracourt case determining child supportlast week, a judge set the monthly payments Kevin will pay to Christine at $63,209, matching his proposed amount after she and her lawyers hadrequested $175,057, up from the $129,755 the actor had been tentatively ordered to pay in July.
After Christine’s attorney John Rydell said that the oceanside lifestyle their three children have enjoyed at theirSanta Barbara compoundis “in their DNA at this point,” Kevin took the stand. “My biggest concern is that the court orders me to pay child support that is above the needs of my children and for the needs of Christine,” he said.
Asked while leaving that courtroom during a lunch break whether he “still has love” for Christine, Kevin told reporters, “Of course.”
“This is a horrible place to be,” he added. “But this is where we’re at.”
Christinefiled for divorcefrom theDances with WolvesOscar winner in May after 18 years of marriage. A rep for Kevin said in a statement at the time, “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action.”
Kevin and Christine willappear in court againin December to hash out the validity of their premarital agreement.
source: people.com
