Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy had their wills signed in June 2005, two decades before they were discovered deceased in their home on February 26. Given that Betsy, who was designated as the successor trustee, passed away shortly before Gene, a legal expert informed PEOPLE that it is unclear who is specified in Gene’s trust. The specifics of Gene’s trust have not been disclosed, although his will was revealed on March 14.
According to legal expert David Esquibias, any potential challenge to the contents of their wills may be challenging to contest due to the time lapse since they were signed. The fact that Gene and Betsy signed their wills in 2005, as opposed to closer to their passing, could make disputing the will less likely. Esquibias explained that contesting a 20-year-old document is significantly more difficult than contesting one signed shortly before death.
Gene, who passed away at 95, and Betsy, who was 65 at the time of her death, appointed each other as the personal representatives of their estates in their 2005 wills. Betsy was also named as the successor trustee of the Gene Hackman Living Trust. However, due to both Gene and Betsy’s deaths, Esquibias mentioned that it is unknown who the beneficiaries of Gene’s trust are since this information has not been disclosed.
The details regarding Gene’s trust and its beneficiaries remain undisclosed, making it uncertain if Gene’s three adult children from his first marriage with Faye Maltese – Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58 – are included. Christopher reportedly hired trust and estate attorney Andrew M. Katzenstein, with Esquibias suggesting it may just be a precautionary measure rather than indicative of any specific legal issues.
Julia L. Peters, chief counsel at Avalon Trust Co., has been appointed as the personal representative for both Gene and Betsy’s estates moving forward. The complete details regarding the estates and trust beneficiaries are still pending public disclosure.
Betsy’s estate is designated to be entrusted to her personal representative for the purpose of establishing a charitable trust that aims to benefit the community in alignment with the charitable preferences and interests expressed by both Betsy and her spouse during their lifetimes, as specified in Betsy’s individual will. Furthermore, Betsy’s will indicates the possibility of a separate statement or list detailing the recipients of her personal property.
Authorities disclosed on March 7 that their investigation concluded Betsy had passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a result of hantavirus infection, a week before Gene’s death. They suggested that Gene had likely been alone in their home with his deceased wife for several days. Hackman’s cause of death was attributed to a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, according to the authorities.
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