Robin Williams

Robin Williams’s Widow and Children Agree to Settlement of His Estate

Among other things, The late actor’s children will retain possession of his award trophies.
Image may contain Tie Accessories Accessory Human Person Robin Williams Glasses Clothing Apparel and Fashion
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The legal dispute between Robin Williams’s widow and his three children appears to be over. Susan Schneider Williams, agreed to a settlement on Friday with Zachary, Zelda, and Cody Williams over the provisions in the late comedian’s will. Said document had left Williams’s entire $100 million-plus estate to his children — Zachary, 31, from Williams’ first marriage to Valerie Velardi; and Zelda, 25, and Cody, 23, from his second marriage to Marsha Garces.

In dispute was the provision in Williams’s will to provide for Susan to continue to live in the home they shared, though his children will also eventually inherit that home as well. The children thought Susan was “seeking to increase her share of the trust assets at the expense of the Williams children.” For her part, Schneider Williams was seeking to hold on to personal items from her and Williams’s life together. The deal must still be approved by a judge, as The Los Angeles Times notes.

While official terms were not disclosed, Schneider Williams’s attorney James Wagstaff told the Associated Press that she will remain in the home and receive an allowance to cover home and living expenses for the rest of her life. Additionally, Susan is to receive disputed items such as a watch, a bicycle, and their wedding gifts.

The New York Times reported back in February that the legal dispute had become a bitter one, with court documents revealing the children’s characterization of Susan’s “greed” in attempting to increase the value of the trust Williams left for her, despite being married to their father for “less than three years.” In return, Susan described her house being “invaded” by the children seeking to remove personal items without her permission.

Such items included clothing (including the tuxedo he was married in), jewelry, personal photographs taken before his third marriage, and his entertainment awards, including two Emmys, five Grammys, six Golden Globes, and the 1997 Academy Award for Best Supporting actor, for his role in Good Will Hunting.

In a statement published by People magazine, Schneider Williams said, “While it's hard to speak of this as a win, given it stems from the greatest loss of all, I am deeply grateful to the judge for helping resolve these issues. I can live in peace knowing that my husband’s wishes were honored.”

For their part, Zachary, Zelda, and Cody released a statement through their attorney, which read, “The children are relieved to have this behind them.”