Gene Hackman’s $80 million estate lawsuit is still ongoing, with the actor’s personal representative citing tax issues as the reason for the nonpayment.
According to court documents obtained by Page Six, a Santa Fe County court judge filed a “notice of inactivity” after the case had not been filed for a “substantial period.”
Personal representative Julia L. Peters asked the court to leave the case open, writing in her response that “the heirs have filed estate tax returns with the IRS and there are pending tax matters related to the estate that must be completed before the estate can be closed.”
Attorney Peters filed to become the estate’s personal representative on March 6, 2025.
Initially, Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, was named personal representative, followed by Hackman’s attorney, Michael G. Soutine, and then Peters. Mr. Arakawa and Mr. Soutine had both passed away at the time of Mr. Hackman’s death, and Mr. Peters took over.
Peters said in court papers that Hackman’s last will, dated June 7, 2005, was “validly executed” and included in the lawsuit.
Hackman’s three children from his previous marriage to Faye Marta, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie, were not named as personal representatives.
Attorney Gregory W. McKenzie filed an appearance on behalf of Hackman’s three children on March 20, 2025, but no further motions were filed.
Court documents filed by Peters on Aug. 1, 2025, state that she “was diligently working on inventorying and valuing the decedent’s estate.”
Ms. Peters said in her Oct. 24, 2025, filing that she had created an inventory of the property owned by Mr. Hackman at the time of his death.
Page Six previously reported that the property owed $98,345.29 on a Citibank credit card.
Attorneys involved in the estate lawsuit did not respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 26, 2025.
“French Connection” actor Arakawa passed away on February 18th at the age of 95. Arakawa died a few days earlier, on February 11, from hantavirus infection, a rare virus transmitted by rodents. She was 65 years old.
The couple remained undiscovered for several days until a maintenance worker discovered their bodies.
Officials said Arakawa’s body began to decompose and even showed signs of mummification.
It turned out that their house had been hoarded. The $6.25 million, 53-acre property was listed on January 16 and found a buyer just 11 days later.
Despite being estranged from his children after his death, his daughters and granddaughters told Page Six in a statement:
“While he was loved and admired by millions around the world for his illustrious acting career, to us he was always just dad and grandpa. We will miss him dearly and are devastated by our loss.”
