Robin Williams' wife, children fight over his estate

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Nearly six months after comic legend Robin Williams took his own life, his widow and heirs are feuding over his estate. Court filings show them fighting over money, property and personal items.

This issue is getting heated and emotional on both sides. Williams' wife says she became frightened of his three children from previous marriages because they were invading her home and taking things. His kids meanwhile argue these are items their dad would want them to have and taking the issue to court is only adding insult to injury.

Susan Schneider Williams first filed court documents back in December.

She's accusing her late husbands' three children Zelda, Zachary, and Cody of taking items from the Tiburon home she shared with the actor without permission. They're items she says she's entitled to.

The children counter that Susan is "adding insult to a terrible injury" by trying to change the trust agreement and rob them of the late actor's clothing and other personal items.

The papers read, "Susan Schneider Williams lost her husband through a shocking and emotionally charged event. The trust directs that the Susan Trust should be funded with the Tiburon residence as well as its contents."

A Napa home was left to his children, but part of the comedians' trust also states memorabilia, jewelry, and photos from before his marriage to Susan should go to his kids upon his death.

This is where things get messy. The kids took this to mean all those items, even ones inside the Tiburon house, but his widow says the trust intends to distribute belongings from the Napa home only.

What's at stake is everything from Williams' including, toys, bikes, even his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in "Good will Hunting."

His kids filed an objection in January saying, "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."

Several pages detailing the items and their value have been redacted, but the kids argue they're being blocked from going through their dad's things at the Tiburon home even though appraisers have been allowed inside.

James Wagstaffe, an attorney for Susan Williams, said 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 said. "I would not say this is anticipated to be a highly contested proceeding."

An attorney for the children, Allan Mayer, declined to comment.

Williams died at his Tiburon home in August. The coroner ruled his death a suicide that resulted from asphyxia caused by hanging.

Susan Williams has said the actor and comedian was struggling with depression, anxiety and a recent diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Williams had publicly acknowledged periodic struggles with substance abuse, and he had entered a substance abuse program shortly before his death. According to the coroner's report, his wife told an investigator that Williams did not go there because of recent drug or alcohol abuse, but rather to reaffirm the principles of his rehabilitation.

A hearing on the issue has been scheduled in late March.