The will of renowned actor Gene Hackman has been released, but questions remain about who will inherit his $80 million fortune.
The two-time Academy Award winner left his entire estate to his wife Betsy Arakawa, who had been his partner for 30 years. But they were both found dead in their New Mexico home last month.
According to legal experts, because Arakawa died 7 days before Hackman, there is a possibility that Hackman's children will still inherit even though they are not written in his will.
Hackman's three children with his ex-wife Faye Maltese - Christopher (65), Elizabeth (62), and Leslie (58) - have yet to comment on this.
According to documents obtained by the BBC, Arakawa was listed as Hackman's sole heir in 1995, last updated in 2005.
According to attorney Tre Lovell, Hackman's wealth could go to his children under succession laws if no other beneficiaries are listed.
He added that Hackman's children will also need to prove that his will is invalid because Arakawa predeceased him.
According to authorities, Arakawa died on February 11 due to a rare virus, and Hackman died 7 days later due to heart disease. They were both found in separate bedrooms of their $4 million Santa Fe home on February 26.
Authorities initially suspected foul play but later ruled it a natural death.
Despite his fame, Hackman has once mentioned that being a father while in the showbiz industry is difficult. However, his children and grandchildren love him dearly.
"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his amazing career, but to us, he was simply Dad and Grandpa," they said. "We will miss him terribly and are deeply saddened to lose him."
