Famous Estates - Robin Williams
Robin Williams - Specific Gifts and Distribution Provisions
It has been more than a decade since Robin Williams’ unexpected passing. While he was well known for his outstanding performances during his lifetime, unfortunately, his $50 million estate kept him in the limelight even after he passed. Williams amended his Trust after he married Susan Schneider-Williams in October 2011 but when administration of a trust is not handled carefully, even well-maintained plans can create lengthy legal battles.
Williams’ Trust created a sub-trust for his wife, allowing her to reside in their home for the rest of her life. She was also entitled to the lifetime use of furniture, furnishings, and any contents of their shared home that were not already designated to go to his three children, all of which were from previous marriages. Williams’ legal team was tasked with setting aside reasonably determined funds to pay for all costs related to the home, including mortgage payments, tax assessments, insurance premiums, maintenance and repairs, and necessary improvements. Any remaining net income of her sub-trust, after maintenance of the house, was to be distributed to her on an annual basis. Then, when his wife died, all the furniture and furnishings included in her sub-trust were to go to Williams’ children.
Susan petitioned the court for instructions regarding interpretation of terms used in the Trust. Her petition stated that terms of the Trust, such as “memorabilia,” “collectibles,” and “knick-knacks” were not clearly defined, creating confusion as to how to distribute his world famous and eclectic collection, which included comic books, army men, and scientific oddities. Susan requested that memorabilia should include specific tangible items that relate to his acting career only. She further requested that jewelry should not be defined to include his watch collection, which was located at the home. She asked the court to interpret the Trust to exclude any items in the house as well as items located in offsite storage or at the Williams’ Napa Valley residence, meaning these assets would not go to Williams’ children.
Susan petitioned for the clarification of terms because all personal items in the home that did not meet the definition of the specific bequest of items Williams left to his children would be used to fund her sub-trust. She also asked the court to define what appropriate reserve funds for the house should be and to broadly define costs to include daily upkeep and unexpected renovations and improvements.
Want really exciting juicy details about how the story ended? Sorry. Ultimately, Susan and Robin Williams’ three children settled out of court with Susan receiving an allowance for home expenses and a few items acquired throughout her 3-year marriage to Williams.
What’s the takeaway here? Two things: 1) Stuff causes problems. If you have specific items that you know more than one person in your family wants, make a list and BE SPECIFIC; and 2) trust administration after someone passes away is important. Who you pick as Trustee is important; they need to be able to do the job well, and to do the job well they need clear instructions.
If you would like to do a deep dive on the subject, Robin Williams Trust and court docket is available at: sf.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-information (case Number: PTR-14-29367)