Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Robin Williams Family in Conflict Over Estate

Susan Schneider and Robin Williams (Getty Images)
Susan Schneider and Robin Williams (Getty Images)

Robin Williams has been laid to rest, but there is nothing peaceful about what is going on between those he left behind. Williams's widow, Susan Schneider, is reportedly at odds with the Oscar-winning actor's three children over his estate. Court documents obtained by The New York Times show that Schneider — who was Robin's third wife — and his kids from his previous two marriages, Zak, 31, Zelda, 25, and Cody Williams, 23, are fighting over money and property. Robin committed suicide on Aug. 11 at his home in Tiburon, California. He was 63.
Susan's legal team filed papers in December complaining that some property was "unilaterally removed" from their home "days after Mr. Williams’s untimely death." She claims that the children gave her three days notice after Robin's death before they wanted to come to the home and take what was promised to them. Susan went on to say that she "became frightened of the co-trustees invading her home" and refused.
As a result, the papers state that since she lost "her husband through a shocking and emotionally charged event," Mrs. Williams has not been "given time to grieve her loss free from the frenetic efforts to interfere with her domestic tranquility."

Zelda, Cody, and Zak Williams (Getty Images)
Zelda, Zak and Cody Williams

Robin's three children filed their response last month. They say they “are heartbroken” that Susan Schneider Williams — who they note was married to their father for "less than three years" — has "acted against his wishes by challenging the plans he so carefully made for his estate."

In his will, Robin left his estate in its entirety to a trust whose beneficiaries included his three children. It was updated after he and Susan tied the knot in 2011 with provisions for her. She also has two children from a previous relationship.
Zak, Zelda, and Cody say Susan's filing "adds insult to terrible injury" and is a means to "prevent them from receiving what their father wanted them to receive."
According to TMZ, the late actor left his personal effects, including his Oscar for the movie Good Will Hunting, movie memorabilia, action figures, graphic novels, theater masks, and other items to his kids.
Supposedly, Susan acknowledges she has no right to any of that, but she wants other items like the tux from his wedding and other "knickknacks"......whatever that means.

Robin Williams (right) with wife Marsha (3rd from left) and children Cody, Zachary, and Zelda (Getty Images)
Robin with children and second wife Marsha

Robin made no secret of the fact that his children were his first priority at all times.While Williams publicly spoke about his battles with substance abuse and depression, he was equally as open when professing the love he had for his children. From day one, his kids came first and his decision to go into rehab had everything to do with them.
During a sit down with Diane Sawyer after he completed rehab in 2006, the journalist asked Robin if he could go back and relive any day in his life, what it would be.
"Just the birth of my children," Williams replied. "Each one. Those are all great days and they've all turned out amazing… that's the gift that keeps on giving, and that's the thing that makes life worth living. That's why you want a world, you want to make the world a better place."

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