LATEST: 4 hours ago, Gene Hackman’s death has sparked a bitter estate dispute. His will from 20 years ago remains shrouded in mystery as his daughter had…

Gene Hackman’s 20-Year-Old Will Sparks Debate Over Estate Planning and Public Disclosure

The recent passing of Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy, has not only left fans mourning but has also sparked a growing conversation about estate planning, privacy, and the unexpected complications that arise when documents go unchanged for decades.

Gene and Betsy Hackman, who were discovered in their home in late February, had signed their wills back in 2005—twenty years before their passing. While that might seem like responsible long-term planning, some legal experts and curious observers alike are beginning to question whether the age of the documents could complicate the execution of their wishes, especially as few details about the beneficiaries have been made public.