A Santa Barbara judge has ruled in favor of actor Kevin Costner, ordering his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, to leave their shared Santa Barbara estate by the end of July. The ruling upholds a pre-marital agreement stipulating Baumgartner's departure from Costner's properties in the event of a divorce.

Baumgartner's legal team had requested an extended move-out date of August 15, citing difficulties in securing new housing in the competitive Santa Barbara market. This request was denied by Judge Thomas Anderle, who set the departure date for July 31st.

The couple's ongoing divorce proceedings also involve a dispute over child support payments for their three children. Baumgartner is seeking nearly $250,000 per month, while Costner has offered $68,000. A separate hearing regarding custody arrangements is scheduled for July 12th.

Baumgartner initially filed for divorce on May 1st, citing "irreconcilable differences" and listing April 11th as the date of separation. Costner had previously emphasized the importance of retaining access to his separate property residences on the Carpinteria compound. He cited past experiences from his first divorce, where he was left without a home base following the separation.

Celebrity lawyer Christopher C. Melcher commented on the case, emphasizing the validity of pre-marital agreements and stating that "a deal's a deal." He also noted the unusually rapid pace of the proceedings, contrasting it with the typically lengthy timelines of divorce cases.

Melcher expressed confidence that Baumgartner would comply with the court order, given her financial resources and Costner's offer to cover moving expenses. He also suggested that an appeal would be unwise.

The ongoing legal battles between Costner and Baumgartner continue to draw public attention, highlighting the complexities of high-profile divorces and the role of pre-nuptial agreements.