Kevin Costner's Estranged Wife Reveals How Kids Found Out About Divorce

Christine Baumgartner has expressed dissatisfaction with how their kids learned about her and Kevin Costner's impending divorce.

New reports claim that the 49-year-old disclosed that the Golden Globe award-winning actor informed their children — Cayden, Hayes, and Grace — of their divorce during a short video call in her absence. The former lovebirds have been at legal odds with each other since their separation was confirmed over a month ago.

Per the court papers reviewed by PEOPLE, the 49-year-old alleged that the actor recently exited the Western series, "Yellowstone," told their teenagers about the divorce over a ten-minute Zoom call while he was on set in Las Vegas. 

The way the news was shared ended up disappointing and frustrating Christine, who hoped she and her former partner could deliver the information in person and together. She asserted in the filing that she had made her concerns about Cayden, Grace, and Hayes finding out about the divorce from an outsider known to the filmmaker.

The designer, the second wife of the "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" lead star, even included multiple articles emphasizing the significance of presenting a united front when addressing such matters with kids.

Her worries were subsequently dismissed by Costner, who "insisted that he had the right to tell them that we were getting divorced 'first' and tell them privately 'without me present.'" Addressing the issue, Baumgartner wrote in the documents:

"The children’s welfare has always been my highest priority, and I was concerned they would find out about the divorce before Kevin and I could tell them. It was important for me that we tell the children in person and together."

Before this happened, The Blast reported that the "Field of Dreams" star filed a lawsuit alleging that his estranged wife had used $95,000 of his money to hire a forensic accountant and lawyers without permission and "prior notice" to him. Besides spending his money willfully, Baumgartner has also refused to remove herself from the multi-million property they shared as a once-happy household.

The German artist's continued stay in the Carpinteria, California home has resulted in Costner becoming homeless and is also a direct violation of the terms of their 2004 prenup.

Per their agreement, which they signed before walking down the aisle, the mother-of-three had a 30-day window to exit the estate if she and the Kevin Costner & Modern West country rock band founder ended their relationship. The "Long Hot Night" hitmaker was also expected to give his former partner a $1.2 million fund to find herself a new home.

While Costner's fame and accomplishments did not come through him slacking off work, an insider shared that his marital problems could have been prevented if he spent quality time with his family. As The Blast reported early last month, the source claimed:

"Christine wants them to spend family time at their Santa Barbara home. During filming, Kevin is not around very much. His absence has been very hard for her."

The situation made Baumgartner "unhappy," especially since she did not want the "3 Days to Kill" actor "to throw himself into another project," as he usually does. Things were ultimately taken out of the California State University alum's hands when the father-of-four began shooting "Horizon," a Western film he co-wrote, produced, and directed.

Costner reportedly did not care enough to sort out his ex-wife's concerns, as a different insider declared that he has often allowed his acting schedule to take "precedence over his home life." They further explained:

"Kevin hasn’t been home very much for quite some time due to filming, the popularity of Yellowstone, and the time necessary for his other projects. He has been in demand."

Amid the allegations of the actor mismanaging his home front, those close to him have divulged that Baumgartner's decision to file for divorce on May 1 shocked him.

"Kevin was very surprised by Christine's actions, he doesn't want the divorce, and he would take her back. It's disappointing; he loves her and his children," one of his pals detailed."