Robin Williams’ wife and kids fight over his estate

Robin Williams’ widow, Susan Schneider, is fighting his three children from previous marriages in court for Robin’s estate.

In papers filed in December in San Francisco Superior Court (via The Hollywood Reporter), Susan accused the late comedian’s children, Cody, Zachary and Zelda, of taking items without permission from her home in Tiburon, Calif. The items were taken based on a paragraph in Robin’s will that granted his children “clothing, jewelry, personal photos taken prior to his marriage to [Susan], memorabilia and awards in the entertainment industry and the tangible personal property located in Napa.”

The rightful heir to the items is complicated due to a section in Robin’s trust, which he amended in 2010 to grant Susan the Tiburon home “and its contents” upon his death. Susan argued that because the Tiburon home was given to her by Robin, it makes sense that the specified items granted to his children were meant to apply only to his home in Napa.

Susan’s attorney, James Wagstaffe, said on Monday that his client was only seeking guidance from the court about the meaning of certain terms in the trust.

“This is not ugly,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I would not say this is anticipated to be a highly contested proceeding.”

Robin Williams and daughter Zelda.

But, all evidence is to the contrary. Further disputes revolve around what is defined as “memorabilia,” which was specifically granted to his children. Susan argued that only items depicting him or relating to his fame should be categorized as such. She said in the paperwork, “In other words, this does not include his personal collections of knick-knacks.”

Robin’s children reportedly criticized her characterization of “knick-knacks,” which apparently included Japanese anime figurines, antique weapons, carved boxes, theater masks, rare books, lapel pins, fossils, graphic novels, skulls and collection of watches. (Robin’s kids said watches are jewelry and, therefore, should go to them; Susan said the watches are a separate category.)

Attorneys for the children said in court papers, “The Williams’ children are heartbroken that Petitioner, Mr. Williams’ wife of less than three years, has acted against his wishes by challenging the plans he so carefully made for his estate.”

Top photo: FayesVision/Wenn