Tag: Gene Hackman
Celebrity Estates: The Lessons Behind Gene Hackman’s Estate with Victoria Gray

Celebrity Estates: The Lessons Behind Gene Hackman’s Estate with Victoria Gray

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On this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, Victoria Gray, founder and principal of Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory, once again joins WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok to examine the tragic and complex estate of actor Gene Hackman, a case where timing, trust gaps and estranged heirs collided.

From an $80 million fortune and a decades-old will to simultaneous death rules and charitable trusts, Victoria unpacks how not regularly updating the estate plan shaped the outcome. Drawing on her years advising fiduciaries and families, she explains why ongoing estate reviews, succession planning and clear documentation are critical to preserving both wealth and intent.

Key Takeaways:

  • The impact of failing to update an estate plan for nearly two decades
  • How simultaneous death laws can complicate estate distribution
  • The role of trusts in preventing intestacy and potential family disputes
  • The importance of successor trustees and contingency planning
  • How art, memorabilia and even Oscars factor into estate valuations.

Resources:

Connect With David Lenok:

Connect With Victoria Gray:

About Our Guest:

Victoria Gray is one of the art market’s most trusted and accomplished insiders, bringing more than two decades of high-stakes experience to the sale and stewardship of the world’s most coveted tangible assets. As the Founder of Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory, she serves a global clientele navigating the complexities of selling fine art, jewelry, watches, wine, classic cars, and other collectible property, ensuring every transaction is executed flawlessly, strategically, and to maximum advantage.

Before launching Insight, Victoria spent over 20 years at Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious auction houses, rising to Deputy Chairman of North America, while starting her career at Sotheby’s, a leading global auction house.

During her tenure, she served as Senior Vice President, Managing Director of the Valuations, Trusts & Estates Department, and Head of Office for Bonhams San Francisco. She also built and led Bonhams’ Trusts & Estates presence in New York, forging deep relationships with elite trust & estate attorneys, fiduciaries, wealth managers, and family offices nationwide.
Celebrity Estates: Gene Hackman and Estate Planning While in Cognitive Decline

Celebrity Estates: Gene Hackman and Estate Planning While in Cognitive Decline

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After four decades of acting and winning multiple awards, Gene Hackman was found dead in his home at the age of 95, along with his wife and primary caretaker, Betsy Arakawa. Forensics uncovered that his wife predeceased him, leaving him to struggle with Alzheimer’s alone before passing away one week later.

Join WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok, and Jackie Bevilaqua a partner at Warshaw Burstein, as they delve into the tragic and unexpected circumstances of Hackman’s final days, exploring pressing questions about elder care, cognitive decline and how to safeguard clients against unforeseen complications.

They discuss:

  • Challenges in estate planning for cognitively impaired clients 
  • The importance of ongoing revision and understanding of estate plans 
  • How societal shifts impact elder care and estate planning
  • The significance of community support systems in elder law
  • Legal nuances of simultaneous deaths and the implications for estates

Resources:

Connect With David Lenok:

Connect With Jacqueline Bevilaqua:

About Our Guest:

Mrs. Bevilaqua has focused her practice on trusts and estates law since 2013. She has a strong background in estate planning and estate and trust administration for a diverse clientele, particularly complex issues of gift, estate and trust taxation. She also has significant experience in international estate planning, foreign account tax act compliance, and pre-immigration tax planning.

In addition, Ms. Bevilaqua is well-versed in counseling nonprofit corporations on regulatory, governance and federal and state tax compliance matters.