Kevin Costner Says He ‘of Course’ Has Love for Estranged Wife Christine Following Child Support Ruling

Kevin Costner still loves his estranged wife Christine.

Earlier this week, Yellowstone The alum, 68, left a court hearing in Santa Barbara, California, where he told reporters: “This is a horrible place to be, but we’re here.”

“It feels so bad,” Kevin continued outside the courtroom. “We’re talking about someone I love on the other side. I just can’t.”

When asked by a reporter if he “still loves” his estranged wife, Kevin replied, “Of course.”

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The Complete Timeline of Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s Divorce

Kevin’s comments were made during a lunch break during the two-day hearing, where the judge reduced the alimony he must pay Christine to $63,209 a month.

In July, Kevin was temporarily ordered to pay $129,755 a month to the mother of his three children – Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

Earlier this week, Christine, 49, applied to increase that amount to $175,057 – an increase of $46,000. She reduced that figure to $161,592 during a court hearing Thursday, following an assessment by a forensic accountant.

“My biggest concern is that the court is ordering me to pay child support that is above and beyond my children’s needs and Christina’s needs,” Kevin said when he took the stand in court Friday.

Paramount Network / courtesy of the Everett Collection; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

A day earlier, Christine’s lawyer John Rydell said the lifestyle she and Kevin’s three children had become accustomed to was “in their DNA at this point”.

At the forum, Christine explained how the reduction in financial status would affect their children. She said in part that their children are “very connected to the ocean — it’s their home,” and noted that the surf garage is 50 steps away from their “toes in the water.”

“We created quite a community,” she added, repeatedly referring to the Santa Barbara complex she left as “ours.”

The home, the court heard, includes a volleyball court, garden, infinity pool and two guest houses.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Kevin Costner ordered to pay estranged wife Christine $63,000 a month in child support after she asked for $162,000

Christine filed for divorce from the Oscar winner in May. The couple was married for 18 years.

At the time of their split, the actor’s rep said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have come to light that have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in the divorce.”

In July, a source told PEOPLE that Christine had moved out of the family home on the $145 million Santa Barbara estate she shared with Kevin, per the terms of their prenuptial agreement. She initially stayed in a smaller house on the property, then moved to a nearby rental house for $40,000 a month, it was confirmed in court on Thursday.

“Christine is trying to keep everything as normal as possible,” a source told PEOPLE in July.

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