Gene Hackman’s $80M estate case stalls as personal representative reveals tax woes

Gene Hackman’s $80 cardinal property lawsuit remains ongoing pinch nan actor’s individual typical citing taxation woes arsenic nan logic for nan holdup. 

In tribunal papers obtained by Page Six, a Santa Fe County tribunal judge revenge a “notice of inactivity” because location hasn’t been a filing successful nan lawsuit “for a important play of time.”

Personal Representative Julia L. Peters requested nan tribunal support nan lawsuit open, penning successful her response, “The Estate has revenge an Estate Tax Return pinch nan IRS, and location are pending taxation matters relating to nan property which request to beryllium completed anterior to closing nan estate.”

Attorney Peters revenge to beryllium nan individual typical of nan property connected March 6, 2025.

Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, was initially named individual representative, followed by nan actor’s attorney, Michael G. Sutin and past Peters. With Arakawa and Sutin some deceased astatine nan clip of Hackman’s passing, Peters took over.

Peters noted successful tribunal papers that Hackman’s past will and testament – dated June 7, 2005 was “validly executed” and included successful nan case.

Hackman’s 3 children from a erstwhile matrimony to Faye Maltese — Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie — were not nominated to service arsenic a individual representative.

Lawyer Gregory W. MacKenzie revenge an quality connected behalf of Hackman’s 3 children connected March 20, 2025, but nary further filings were made.

On Aug. 1, 2025, tribunal papers revenge by Peters stated she had been “working diligently connected nan mentation of nan inventory and nan valuation of nan spot of nan Decedent.”

Peters stated that she had prepared an inventory of nan spot owned by Hackman astatine nan clip of his decease successful an Oct. 24, 2025 filing. 

Page Six antecedently reported that nan property owed $98,345.29 connected a Citibank in installments card.

Lawyers progressive successful nan property lawsuit did not respond to Page Six’s petition for comment.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dormant successful their Santa Fe, NM, home connected Feb. 26, 2025. 

The “French Connection” actor’s day of decease was wished to beryllium Feb. 18 astatine property 95. Arakawa died from hantavirus infection – a uncommon rodent-transmitted microorganism – days anterior connected Feb. 11. She was 65. 

The mates wasn’t recovered for days erstwhile a maintenance worker discovered their bodies. 

Arakawa’s assemblage began decomposing and moreover showed signs of mummification, per officials. 

Their location was recovered to beryllium successful a hoarder-like state. The $6.25 million, 53-acre spot was listed connected Jan. 16 and found a purchaser conscionable 11 days later.

Despite being estranged from his children astatine nan clip of his death, his daughters and granddaughter told Page Six successful a statement, “It is pinch awesome sadness that we denote nan passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.

“He was loved and admired by millions astir nan world for his superb acting career, but to us, he was ever conscionable Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by nan loss.”