After the recent passing of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, a legal battle is brewing over the fate of their fortune. In Arakawa’s will, she expressed her desire for her wealth to be donated to charity. However, due to the couple’s simultaneous deaths, Hackman’s three adult children – Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth – are now in line to inherit the windfall.

Legal expert Goldie Schon weighed in on the situation, explaining the complexities of the case. She noted that Arakawa passed away before Hackman, which has created a unique legal scenario. While Hackman’s will stipulated that his entire estate should go to his wife, her premature death has thrown a wrench into the plans.

As Schon explains, “Now we’re in a situation where his will and trust say that everything goes to her, but she died first. It’s going to be a fight, of course, but it’s simple because it’s as if Gene Hackman passed without a will.”

The legal battle over Gene Hackman’s estate is set to unfold in the coming months, as his children and other interested parties vie for a share of the fortune. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for how estates are handled in similar situations in the future.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.