New Mexico has probate rules covering the 'simultaneous death' of married couples that typically come into play when the deaths occur within 120 hours of each other.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died in separate rooms of their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26th. The timing of their deaths, a week apart, impacts how their $80 million Hollywood fortune will be divided under New Mexico law, specifically regarding the 120-hour "simultaneous death" clause. While their causes of death were natural, the investigation remains open. Hackman's daughters and granddaughter are "devastated" by his passing.