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

Gene Hackman’s $80 million estate case remains ongoing with the actor’s personal representative citing tax woes as the reason for the holdup. 

In court papers obtained by Page Six, a Santa Fe County court judge filed a “notice of inactivity” because there hasn’t been a filing in the case “for a substantial period of time.”

Personal Representative Julia L. Peters requested the court keep the case open, writing in her response, “The Estate has filed an Estate Tax Return with the IRS, and there are pending tax matters relating to the estate which need to be completed prior to closing the estate.”

Attorney Peters filed to be the personal representative of the estate on March 6, 2025.

Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, was initially named personal representative, followed by the actor’s attorney, Michael G. Sutin and then Peters. With Arakawa and Sutin both deceased at the time of Hackman’s passing, Peters took over.

Peters noted in court papers that Hackman’s last will and testament – dated June 7, 2005 was “validly executed” and included in the case.

Hackman’s three children from a previous marriage to Faye Maltese — Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie — were not nominated to serve as a personal representative.

Lawyer Gregory W. MacKenzie filed an appearance on behalf of Hackman’s three children on March 20, 2025, but no further filings were made.

On Aug. 1, 2025, court papers filed by Peters stated she had been “working diligently on the preparation of the inventory and the valuation of the property of the Decedent.”

Peters stated that she had prepared an inventory of the property owned by Hackman at the time of his death in an Oct. 24, 2025 filing. 

Page Six previously reported that the estate owed $98,345.29 on a Citibank credit card.

Lawyers involved in the estate case did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, NM, home on Feb. 26, 2025. 

The “French Connection” actor’s date of death was determined to be Feb. 18 at age 95. Arakawa died from hantavirus infection – a rare rodent-transmitted virus – days prior on Feb. 11. She was 65. 

The couple wasn’t found for days when a maintenance worker discovered their bodies. 

Arakawa’s body began decomposing and even showed signs of mummification, per officials. 

Their house was found to be in a hoarder-like state. The $6.25 million, 53-acre property was listed on Jan. 16 and found a buyer just 11 days later.

Despite being estranged from his children at the time of his death, his daughters and granddaughter told Page Six in a statement, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”