Gene Hackman's death stunned Hollywood, especially given the initial mystery surrounding the situation, which also included the death of his wife and one of his dogs.

While there has been some resolution on that front, the headlines are still coming out of the situation due to the fact that Hackman reportedly didn't name his children in his $80 million will, according to the BBC. 

Hackman reportedly left everything in his will to his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa, who was also found dead in their Santa Fe home last month.

However, even though his children were not named in the will, given the unique and bizarre circumstances of their death and the timing involved, legal experts believe the children will ultimately receive some of it.

What's going on?

While money shouldn't be at the top of anyone's mind in a time of grieving, given the amount that's at stake, it's an uncomfortable, but necessary topic.

Legal experts believe that because it was proven that his wife had likely died some seven days before he did that his children will ultimately get a cut of the $80 million estate.

Gene Hackman’s will leaves his full $80M fortune to late wife and doesn’t mention his 3 childrenhttps://t.co/YgR628DDiF

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) March 16, 2025

As of this writing, his children, Faye Maltese - Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, have not publicly commented on the developing situation.

The BBC noted:

Legal documents obtained by the BBC show Hackman, 95, named Arakawa as his sole beneficiary in 1995, with the last update to the will in 2005.

However, California attorney Tre Lovell told the BBC that the estate could default to them under succession laws, as long as there was no other beneficiary named.

Lovell added, "The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit."

Social media reacts

Users across social media weighed in on the matter, with many believing that due to current state laws, his children will inherit the estate regardless.

"The inheritance is a “lapsed” gift by virtue of her predeceasing him," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "She died before he did. So it will go to his kids."

Only time will tell how it all shakes out, legally.