Robin Williams’ Widow Challenges Trust Provisions

When Robin Williams committed suicide six months ago, he left behind three children from his first two marriages and a widow of less than three years, Susan Schneider Williams.  Before Robin Williams passed, he took the time to create a detailed estate plan, including various trusts to benefit his three children and Susan.  The trust established for his wife, called the Susan Trust, was consistent with a prenuptial agreement signed by the couple in 2011.

Despite Robin Williams’ careful planning, Susan began legal proceedings before Christmas, asking a probate court in California to take jurisdiction over the Robin Williams Trust to interpret various provisions she feels are in dispute. 

Susan’s court filing claims several provisions require court intervention because they are unclear.  For example, she asks the court to interpret the list of property going to children to exclude all items inside the Tiburon house, even though the trusts specifically states otherwise. 

Robin Williams’ children responded to the court filing by stating that it left them “heartbroken.”  They describe Susan’s petition as an attempt to challenge Robin Williams’ wishes and alter the trust provisions that are already clear and unambiguous. 

See Danielle and Andy Mayoras, Robin Williams’ Widow Starts A Court Battle—But Why?, Forbes, Feb. 3, 2015.