Robin Williams Family Feud: Widow And Kids Battle Over Late Actor’s Estate, Personal Belongings

Robin Williams’ wife and children have engaged in a legal battle over the late actor’s estate, nearly six months after the 63-year-old’s death, media reports said Monday. The Oscar-winning comedian was found dead on Aug. 11 at his home in northern California.

Williams’ third wife, Susan, filed a lawsuit in December in San Francisco Superior Court that the late actor’s belongings, which include his clothing, personal photographs, and other memorabilia, were taken away without her permission. The dispute revolves around items that the "Mrs. Doubtfire" actor kept at his two houses and in storage, the BBC reported.

Williams’ children -- Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams -- in a response filed in January claimed that Susan is "adding insult to a terrible injury" by trying to challenge the trust agreement.

"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," attorneys for Williams’ children, said in court documents, according to The Associated Press.

Williams' estate had reportedly set up a separate trust for Susan that included their Tiburon house, where the actor was found dead, and "all costs related to the residence."

However in her petition, Susan claimed that the trust must include "all expenses associated with daily upkeep as well as unexpected renovations and improvements."

Williams’ son Zak, 31, was from his first wife, Valerie Velardi, while Zelda, 25, and Cody, 23, were from his second wife, Marsha Garces Williams.

"These collections were carefully amassed by Mr. Williams over his lifetime and were precious to him. As the Williams children grew, so did their father's collections and they shared in their father's excitement as additions were made to his collection,” a January petition filed in response to Susan’s lawsuit reportedly stated, adding that the children wanted to settle any potential disputes "as quickly and efficiently as possible, to allow them to privately grieve the loss of their father and begin to heal from this tragic event."

Authorities had ruled Williams’ death as a suicide due to asphyxia from hanging. Susan had confirmed in August that the actor was struggling with depression, anxiety and was battling the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Jim Wagstaffe, a lawyer for Susan, told The New York Times on Monday that his client was "not somebody who has any sticky fingers."

“Mr. Williams wanted his wife to be able to stay in her home and not be disrupted in her life with her children,” he reportedly said. “Compared to what the Williams children were set to receive from their father, this is a bucket of water in a lake.”