Robin Williams' widow, children settle dispute

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The family of late actor Robin Williams, who died by suicide last year, has reached a proposed settlement after a bitter dispute over his estate, according to court papers.
A still from the movie Boulevard starring Robin Williams and Kathy Baker. PHOTO: SHAW ORGANISATION

NEW YORK • The widow of Robin Williams and his three children have reached a settlement in a bitter legal dispute over the estate of the Academy Award-winning actor and comedian.

Last winter, his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, filed a petition in California Superior Court in San Francisco, detailing money and property she believed she was promised under a trust created for her by Robin Williams, 63, who committed suicide in August last year.

Among other terms, the trust gave the graphic designer, who was Williams' third wife, the home that they shared in Tiburon, California, and its contents, with some restrictions, and cash or property to cover costs related to the residence.

But the actor's children, Zak, Zelda and Cody, from two previous marriages that ended in divorce, said in their own legal filings that Susan Williams was preventing them from collecting personal items of their father's that he intended for them, and that she was seeking money to which she was not entitled. Court documents filed last Friday indicated that her petition had been dismissed and that the two sides had reached a settlement, although its terms were not disclosed.

She said in a statement that the settlement gave her "the few emotional items she requested", including gifts from her wedding to the comedian and "selected clothing items, a watch Robin often wore, plus the bike she and her husband bought together on their honeymoon".

The statement placed the overall value of Williams' estate at more than US$100 million (S$143 million).

"I feel like Robin's voice has been heard and I can finally grieve in the home we shared together," Susan Williams said.

A spokesman for the star's children said in an e-mail that, in keeping with their father's desire for privacy, they would not be making any public statements about the case.

NEW YORK TIMES

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 06, 2015, with the headline Robin Williams' widow, children settle dispute. Subscribe