Celebrity Lawyer Explains Kevin Coster’s Quick Celebrity Divorce

Celebrity lawyer Christopher C. Melcher, who is ranked as a best family law attorney in CA, explains Kevin Costner‘s quick celebrity divorce proceedings, as his ex has a new fiancé

Fox News Digital reporters Janelle Ash and Tracy Wright reported that Christine Baumgartner, ex-wife of Kevin Costner, is happily showing off her new engagement ring while out with her fiancé, Joshua Connor.

On January 30, Baumgartner and Connor were spotted in Montecito, California, looking happy as he wrapped his arm around her. She affectionately placed her arm around his back, flashing her engagement ring for the cameras.

Kevin Costner’s Ex is Newly Engaged

Baumgartner, who finalized her divorce from the Yellowstone star in February 2024, is now engaged to Josh Connor, a financier. Their engagement made headlines just a day before their public outing. Romance rumors between the two first surfaced in July 2023 when they were seen vacationing together in Hawaii.

Josh Connor reportedly proposed during an intimate dinner in Santa Barbara, California. “It was about to rain, so almost no one else was on the beach when Josh got down on one knee,” a source told People at the time.

Nearly a year later, the couple confirmed their relationship, appearing hand-in-hand in Santa Barbara shortly after Costner and Baumgartner’s divorce was finalized. She had originally filed for divorce on May 1, 2023, citing irreconcilable differences, with April 11 marked as their official date of separation. Initially requesting $248,000 in monthly child support for their three children, she was granted a temporary sum of $129,755 in July. However, in September, a judge ruled that Costner would pay $63,209 per month.

Kevin Costner’s Quick Celebrity Divorce

Celebrity divorce lawyer Christopher C. Melcher commented on the celebrity divorce court hearing, stating, “Well, it was stunningly quick—most of these cases don’t resolve within the first hearing. Judge Anderle ordered Christine Baumgartner to vacate Kevin Costner’s home by July 31. So that’s a month earlier than she was proposing, but she has to be out even though support hasn’t been set. She’s got to move out of the house.”

Kevin Costner’s Child Custody Hearing

Connor’s name surfaced during Baumgartner and Costner’s child custody hearing when Costner’s legal team questioned a $20,000 loan from a “boyfriend” identified as Josh. Baumgartner, testifying in court, described Connor as a longtime friend of seven or eight years. When asked directly if he was her boyfriend at the time, she denied it.

She recounted a trip to Hawaii in March with Connor, his daughter, and a group of friends. Costner had opted out, choosing instead to give a speech at a hunting club. The Costners had paid for the vacation home where everyone stayed. In July, Baumgartner returned to Hawaii with another group, including Connor and their children. This time, Connor covered the cost of their lodging.

During the hearing, when asked about Connor giving her money, Baumgartner admitted he had given her $20,000 but couldn’t recall if it was before or after their Hawaii trips. She explained that she had given $10,000 of that amount to her mother, who was worried about her home. She became emotional on the stand as she shared this detail.