According to newly filed court records, the settlement of Gene Hackman’s estimated $80 million estate remains on hold as unresolved federal tax issues continue to delay the probate case.
Santa Fe County probate records indicate the court recently issued a notice of inactivity after no filings had been made for an extended period. In response, personal representative Julia L. Peters requested that the court keep the estate open while outstanding matters with the Internal Revenue Service are resolved.
“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,” Peters wrote in the filing.
Peters was appointed personal representative in March 2025 following the deaths of Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, and his longtime attorney, Michael G. Sutin, who were both named in succession to administer the estate but died before probate began. Court records also state that Hackman’s will, dated June 7, 2005, was “validly executed.”
Hackman’s three children from his marriage to Faye Maltese—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie—were not nominated to oversee the estate. An attorney entered an appearance on their behalf in March 2025, but the court docket reflects no additional filings from the family.
Earlier filings showed Peters had completed an inventory of Hackman’s assets after previously informing the court she was “working diligently on the preparation of the inventory and the valuation of the property of the Decedent.” The estate carried a $98,345.29 Citibank credit card balance.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner best known for The French Connection and Unforgiven, and Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, 2025. Investigators later determined Arakawa, 65, died February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, while Hackman, 95, died February 18 from heart disease complicated by advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Their bodies were discovered days later by a maintenance worker.
Authorities reported that Arakawa’s body showed signs of advanced decomposition and described portions of the property as being in a hoarder-like condition. Earlier this year, the couple’s 53-acre Santa Fe estate was listed for $6.25 million and found a buyer within 11 days.
Following Hackman’s death, his daughters and granddaughter issued 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.”
