What Can We Learn from Gene Hackman’s Death?

The world was shocked when veteran actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home in late February 2025. An investigation later revealed that Arakawa (65) predeceased her 95-year old husband.

When Hackman married Arakawa in 1991, he already had three children from his first wife. Hackman, being thirty years older than his wife, clearly expected that she would outlive him. His Will left his estate solely to his wife and did not specify any other beneficiary, so the question now is – who inherits Hackman’s estate? (Side note – sources have said that Hackman’s children were provided for in a trust.)

How could Hackman (or the attorneys that drafted his Will) avoided the issue of determining who will now inherit under his Will? The answer is having a well drafted Will or trust document that provides for different contingencies, such as “in the event that my wife predeceases me, my estate will go to…”

Creating well thought out Wills and trusts that accomplish our clients’ goals and protect their interests is our specialty. We can ensure your estate plan goes according to your wishes and provides for contingencies. Need advice about estate planning or elder law? We are here for you. Please call or e-mail for a consultation.

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available here are for general informational purposes only.