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The succession of Gene Hackman’s $80M estate is now under scrutiny following the revelation that his three adult children are not named as beneficiaries in his will.

The two-time Academy Award winner left his entire estate to his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa. But Arakawa, 65, was found dead alongside her husband in their New Mexico home last month. According to Hackman’s will, dated June 7, 2005, Arakawa Hackman is named as the sole beneficiary of his estate and trustee of the Gene Hackman Living Trust.

In 1995, Hackman appointed Arakawa Hackman as the successor trustee of his trust. His will also named his former attorney, Michael G. Sutin, as a successor for the estate should Arakawa Hackman pass before him. After Sutin’s death in 2019, the role passed to attorney Julia L. Peters. Hackman’s death was attributed to heart disease and Alzheimer’s, while Arakawa Hackman died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Arakawa Hackman’s will, which mirrors Hackman’s, also names Hackman as the personal representative of her estate, with Sutin and Peters as successors.

Arakawa’s own will left her assets to Hackman, with a provision that if they died within 90 days of each other, her estate would go to a trust and later be donated to charity after covering medical expenses.

Legal experts have now said that, because authorities say Arakawa died seven days before her husband, Hackman’s children could now potentially inherit his fortune, despite not being named in the will.

His three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese – Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58 – have not commented publicly on the matter.

While Hackman’s children—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie—are listed in his will, Arakawa Hackman was named as the sole successor. With her passing preceding Hackman’s, Peters’ court filings identify Hackman’s children as his heirs, raising significant questions about who will inherit the estate. Hackman’s daughters have expressed sadness over their father’s death in a recent interview, with Leslie noting that despite occasional distance, they had grown closer in recent years.

The situation underscores the importance of having an up-to-date estate plan and working with experienced Texas guardianship attorneys. When inheritance questions arise, especially in complicated family dynamics, it can lead to emotional and legal challenges for loved ones. If you find yourself in a similar situation or need assistance with your estate planning, the board-certified estate planning attorneys at Ford + Bergner are here to help. They assist families across Texas in ensuring their estates are properly planned for and protected. Contact Ford + Bergner today to discuss your estate planning needs and ensure your legacy is in good hands.