How Gene Hackman’s slow death could have major impact on whether kids benefit from will
The cause and timing of Gene Hackman’s death is said to have made it simpler to wind up his huge fortune, lawyers have said.
The iconic Hollywood actor died aged 95 in February. He was found dead in his Santa Fe, New Mexico, home at the same time as his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, and one of their pet dogs. At the time, the discovery was investigated. It was confirmed on Friday the couple died almost a week apart.
Official reports found that Arakawa had died of a rare virus spread by mice on about February 11. Hackman, meanwhile, who suffered from Alzheimer’s is thought the have died February 18 from heart disease. Authorities claimed Hackman may not even have realised his wife had died.
Arakawa was found lying on the bathroom floor with her head next to a space heater with thyroid medication pills around her. Hackman was found dead with his sunglasses and cane by his side in a room by his kitchen following an apparent fall.
Sadly, one of their dogs, Zinna, was found also deceased at their home address in a crate, while their German Shepherd called Bear and a second dog named Nikita were found running around the 12-acre property, with a dog door allowing them access to food and water.
Now, a lawyer has claimed the investigation surrounding the deaths could have implications on any inheritance being allocated to Hackman’s son and two daughters from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese. Arakawa had no children.
Under New Mexico law, if the couple had died within 120 hours of each other, their deaths would have been classified as ‘simultaneous’, which could have altered inheritance proceedings. However, due to Hackman’s pacemaker showing activity days later, these provision may not apply.
Kevin Holmes of Holmes Law Firm told Mail Online: “In a lot of states, including New Mexico, there’s a kind of presumptive triggering deadline of five days before you’re considered having survived under the terms of most wills.”
He added that while the couple’s wills are not publicly known, it’s likely any wills or trust could lay out a timeline for simultaneous death that is different to the 120-hour period detailed in New Mexico state law.
He added that most married couples with wills leave each other their entire estate. However, John Budagher, an attorney at Budagher & Tann, said another important factor could be the date on which any will or legal documents were signed, saying any recent updates could be queried due to Hackman’s Alzheimer’s.
“If it’s more recent, that doesn’t mean it’s invalid,” he said. “It just means it’s riper for a potential challenge — especially if it’s doing something like leaving everything to a caretaker.”
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