In brief
Gene Hackman's estate, amounting to $80 million, has become a subject of contention as his will favors his late wife while leaving out his three children. Legal experts suggest they may still have grounds to contest the will due to implications surrounding the timing of the couple's deaths.
The release of Gene Hackman's will has raised questions following the deaths of the actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in February. Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, bequeathed his entire $80 million estate to Arakawa, who passed away a week prior to him amidst unusual circumstances. While Hackman's will does not include his three children from a previous marriage, legal analysts believe they could potentially challenge the will under New Mexico's intestate succession laws, which typically favor children if no valid beneficiaries are named.Arakawa, who succumbed to a rare virus on February 11, had been married to Hackman for over 30 years. The couple was discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home by neighborhood security, triggering initial suspicions about the scene, which were later dismissed by authorities. Hackman was reported to have died from natural causes attributed to heart disease and advancing Alzheimer's.California attorney Tre Lovell emphasized that if no alternative beneficiaries exist in Hackman's trust, the estate could legally default to his children. They would need to provide evidence of the will's invalidity based on the unfortunate timing of Arakawa's death relative to Hackman's. Moreover, Arakawa's will included provisions to donate her assets to charity should they die within a close timeframe.Hackman's relationship with his children has been complex, shaped by the demands of his acting career. He has voiced regret about the time spent away from his family for professional commitments and the unique challenges his children faced growing up under the shadow of his fame. Family members have expressed their grief over his passing, thanking him for the love and support he provided as a father and grandfather.As the situation unfolds, many will be watching how the legalities of the estate may play out, and what claims, if any, Hackman's children may assert regarding their inheritance.
