Oct 28, 2015

The death of comedian Robin Williams provided interesting estate planning issues. Although he was hugely successful in movies and television, Williams spoke of financial problems in the years before his death. He had reached a net worth of over $100 million dollars in his prime, according to sources, but two divorces and fewer movie roles had reportedly depleted his assets to approximately $50 million, left completely to his kids in their teens and 20s, plus a home in Tiburon valued at $29 million, left to his wife.

Although he used a trust rather than a simple will, there still were many open ends and a lingering legal battle between his kids and his wife that he had not intended. What happened can be instructive for anyone arranging their affairs with any size estate. Steve and Sinclair review key elements and attorney opinions. In the Q & A segment, estate planning attorney Richard Dwornik and Certified Financial Planner® Murray Titterington with IQ Wealth join the A-Team to discuss special needs trusts and spendthrift trust provisions.