Gene Hackman’s Estate: Inheritance Questions Arise

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The Will’s Revelation

The succession of Gene Hackman’s estate is now in question after it was revealed that his three adult children are not named as beneficiaries in his will. Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, 65, were found dead at their Santa Fe, NM home on February 26. Hackman’s will dated June 7, 2005, names Arakawa Hackman as the sole beneficiary of his estate and trustee of the Gene Hackman Living Trust. Hackman had three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, whom he divorced in 1986, before marrying Arakawa in 1991.

Legal Complexities

Documents show that in 1995, Hackman appointed Arakawa Hackman as the successor trustee of his trust. His will also appointed his former attorney, Michael G. Sutin, as a successor for the estate should Arakawa Hackman pass before him. Sutin died in 2019, and his 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.

Family and Inheritance

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

Estate Planning Implications

Losing a family member is incredibly difficult for those left behind. Add in an unanswered question of inheritance and it becomes even more emotionally devastating. This story illustrates clearly the importance of keeping your estate plan up to date and working with an experienced estate planning attorney to account for the variety of potential situations that can occur in one’s life. The estate planning attorneys at Hensley & Krueger work with families across Texas to provide for and protect their families after they are gone. Contact us today to discuss your estate planning needs.