Gene Hackman’s Will Unveiled: A Legal Battle Over His Fortune?

Gene Hackman’s final will has been revealed, and while the legendary actor left his entire fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa, a shocking legal twist could change everything.

A Sole Beneficiary—With a Catch

TMZ has obtained documents confirming that Hackman made Betsy his sole beneficiary back in 1995. Notably, his three children—Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth—were not included in the will. Under normal circumstances, Betsy would inherit everything, but the timing of their deaths could significantly alter the outcome.

The 90-Day Clause & Its Huge Implications

Betsy reportedly passed away first, likely due to hantavirus, while Gene succumbed to cardiovascular disease about a week later. Given Hackman’s struggles with Alzheimer’s, authorities noted that he never called for help after Betsy’s passing.

Here’s the legal twist:

• Betsy’s will states that if she and Gene died within 90 days of each other, it would be considered a “simultaneous death.”

• In that case, instead of the estate passing to Gene, her assets would go directly to charity.

Since New Mexico is a community property state, and assuming there was no prenup, Betsy’s share of the estate could be substantial, potentially diverting a significant portion of Hackman’s fortune away from his children.

Could Hackman’s Kids Challenge the Will?

Despite not being included in the will, Hackman’s children may still inherit his portion of the estate, as they are his closest living heirs. However, reports indicate that Christopher Hackman has hired Andrew M. Katzenstein, a high-profile California trust and estate attorney, suggesting a possible legal battle over the inheritance.

Gene had previously spoken about his strained relationship with his children, admitting he wasn’t present much during their upbringing. However, in recent years, he reportedly made efforts to reconnect with them.

Privacy Concerns & Legal Action

Julia Peters, representing the Hackman-Arakawa estate, has filed a motion to block the release of any footage or photos from the death scene, including body cam recordings from responding officers, citing privacy concerns.

What’s Next?

Authorities believe Hackman and Arakawa had been deceased for over a week before being discovered. While no official legal challenge has been filed yet, the complex nature of the wills, the 90-day clause, and potential disputes over Hackman’s estate could set the stage for a major inheritance battle in the coming months.

TMZ has reached out to Hackman’s representatives and family for comments—but so far, no response.