EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Costner’s ex-wife Christine Baumgartner tells friends what she REALLY thinks about being “friends with benefits” after a contentious divorce

With Christine Baumgartner having to make do without Kevin Costner for the holidays, rumors are circulating that the once passionate couple could be getting back together.

But she shuts down any rumors that she and her ex-husband are on good terms after resolving their contentious divorce.

A close friend of Baumgartner tells DailyMail.com: “Christine said there is no truth to the fact that she and Kevin are considering being friends with benefits. “First of all, they barely talk to each other and secondly, she has moved on.”

While she said the holidays will be a little challenging, especially Thanksgiving because it was so busy with family, she is staying strong and carrying on.

With Christine Baumgartner having to make do without Kevin Costner for the holidays, rumors are circulating that the ice is melting between the once passionate couple

Baumgartner has moved on from her bitter divorce from Kevin Costner, rejecting the suggestion that they could become “friends with benefits” after the couple became embroiled in a months-long legal battle that ended last month

But Christine is adamant that there will be no reconciliation any time soon. The source said: ‘There is still a lot of pain on both sides and she is still disappointed that Kevin and his legal team have painted such a terrible and untrue picture of her.’

Afterwards, an argument ensued that caused her relationship with Costner to thaw Radar Online reported that the exes were talking again after their divorce last month and that Christine was hoping to use the friendship to get more money out of the actor.

The 68-year-old actor and his 49-year-old wife of 19 years were embroiled in a months-long legal battle that unexpectedly ended in September.

It was said that Kevin was blindsided when Christine filed for divorce in May.

“Christine said she was relieved to have her own space and knew deep in her heart that she made the right decision. “Of course she hopes to have a relationship with Kevin one day, but it will take some time,” the friend said.

“Christine said it had been really therapeutic to focus on her children and creating a new home and she could see herself pursuing a career as an interior designer.

“Her friends always asked her for tips and it makes her happy. “It’s always been a passion.”

But the source revealed that Christine said the holidays would be “challenging” for her without Kevin this year, especially Thanksgiving because “it’s been so much family-related, but she’s staying strong and carrying on.”

A joint statement from Costner and Baumgartner, provided to DailyMail.com at the time of the settlement, said: “Kevin and Christine Costner have reached an amicable and amicable resolution of all issues relating to their divorce proceedings.”

The couple is seen with their sons Cayden, 15; Hayes, 14; and daughter Grace, 13, in 2019

Kevin and Christine, a model and handbag designer, began dating in 1998 and married in 2004 at his ranch in Aspen

The settlement is believed to be similar to one Kevin previously offered in a June 30 letter, which would have paid her $75,000 a month in child support.

The mother of three rejected this after eHe was enjoying a temporary monthly payment of $129,000 and wanted to increase that to $161,000.

Instead, after a two-day hearing in September in which both Kevin and Christine testified, a judge ordered Kevin to pay $63,000 a month for their three children.

According to the terms of the settlement, if Christine challenges the verdict, she would have to “repay Kevin more than $1 million and pay his legal fees for the marital dispute.”

Upon hearing this, she “agreed to the terms of a three-page settlement letter.”

Even though the prenuptial agreement is enforceable, Christine got more than what was stipulated in the agreement.

Christine had vowed to fight the matter in court and have the trial take place in December, but that will no longer happen.

In July, Baumgartner was ordered to vacate the former couple’s $145 million luxury California mansion

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Baumgartner, 49, moved into the luxury four-bedroom home – after a judge in Santa Barbara, California, reduced her child support payments

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s bitter divorce was settled with enforcement of the prenuptial agreement and a massive fine if contested

Kevin and Christine, a model and handbag designer, began dating in 1998 and married in 2004 at his ranch in Aspen.

The couple has three children: Cayden (16), Hayes (14) and Grace (13).

In July, Christine was evicted from the couple’s $145 million mansion and moving vans were seen outside.

In her first day testimony, Christine said she needed more money to provide a suitable home for her three children.

She said her $40,000-a-month rental in Montecito didn’t compare to the family’s villa and complained that her sons had to share a bathroom.

During his testimony, Kevin said apologized to his estranged wife, saying, “I want to help, but the thought of things getting blown up to the point where I can’t do what I want to do… Somehow we haven’t made it in this unusual world.” and for that I’m sorry.’

The court also heard details of the family’s lavish spending – which totaled $240,000 a month in 2022.

Expenses included $40,000 spent each month on flowers and gifts alone, although Kevin’s forensic accountant Tracy Katz pointed out that the total applies to the entire family, including Christine.

Katz said Christine was responsible for a variety of big-ticket items, including $18,000 a month in medical bills, $18,855 in clothing and $3,377 in beauty treatments.

Additionally, according to Katz, Christine was responsible for the lion’s share of cash withdrawn from ATMs, amounting to $8,886.