The estate of the late actor Gene Hackman, valued at approximately $80 million, remains in probate over a year after his death due to unresolved tax matters. A "notice of inactivity" was filed in the Santa Fe County court, indicating a prolonged period without any new filings.

Personal Representative Julia L. Peters has requested the court keep the case open, stating in court documents that the estate has filed its Estate Tax Return with the IRS and that these pending tax issues must be addressed before the estate can be closed. Peters was appointed personal representative on March 6, 2025, following the deaths of the initially appointed personal representative, Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa, and his attorney Michael G. Sutin.

Hackman's last will and testament, dated June 7, 2005, has been confirmed as validly executed and is part of the court filings. His three children from a previous marriage to Faye Maltese—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie—were not nominated to serve as personal representative. While their attorney filed an appearance on their behalf on March 20, 2025, no further actions were recorded for them.

Court papers filed in August 2025 indicated that Peters was diligently working on the inventory and valuation of Hackman's assets. By October 2025, an inventory of property owned by the actor at the time of his death had been prepared. Earlier reports noted that the estate owed $98,345.29 on a Citibank credit card.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26, 2025. The actor's date of death was determined to be February 18, at the age of 95. Arakawa died on February 11 from a hantavirus infection at age 65. Their bodies were discovered by a maintenance worker several days after their deaths. The couple's home, a 53-acre property valued at $6.25 million, was listed on January 16 and a buyer was found within 11 days. The home was noted to be in a state of disarray.

Despite being estranged from his children at the time of his passing, his daughters and granddaughter issued a statement expressing their sadness and grief over the loss of their father and grandfather, remembering him as "Dad and Grandpa" and stating they would miss him dearly.