Nick Reiner, the individual accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been refused access to the $1.5 million US trust fund he was attempting to utilize for his legal defense. Court documents from June revealed that Reiner had been pursuing allegedly unpaid funds from a trust established for him by his parents in 1993.
Trustees declined Reiner’s request for the funds, citing a California law provision known as the “slayer statute,” which prohibits individuals from inheriting assets from someone they have intentionally killed. In December 2025, Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and Michele Reiner, a photographer and producer, were fatally stabbed in their California residence. Later that day, their son Nick Reiner was taken into custody.
Nick Reiner, aged 32, was formally charged with murder on July 20 and has entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment, unveiled by a Los Angeles County grand jury, alleges that Reiner ambushed his parents before the attack, potentially leading to the death penalty being sought. The District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, stated that the decision on seeking the death penalty is pending.
Reiner is set to appear in court for a pretrial hearing in September, where he is currently being represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. The court filing in June mentioned that individual trust funds were also set up for Reiner’s siblings, with Reiner entitled to half of his trust fund at age 30 and the remaining portion at age 35.
Despite claiming that he had not received the funds due to him at 30, Reiner alleged that the trustees were withholding his rightful access to the money. The assets in question total at least $1.5 million US, according to the filing. High-profile lawyer Alan Jackson was initially handling Reiner’s defense but departed within a month, with the reason undisclosed. Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover his legal expenses but later reversed their decision.
Paul R. Kanin, the previous overseer of the trust fund, and incoming trustee Jodi Pais Montgomery concurred that the uncertain outcome of Reiner’s criminal case prevented the distribution of funds at present. The trust fund cannot be accessed until the impact of Probate Code Section 250 and related “slayer statute” principles on Reiner’s entitlement is clarified.
Eight months after the tragedy, many details remain undisclosed, including any speculated motives. Jake Reiner, Rob and Michele Reiner’s eldest son, shared in April about the anguish of losing his parents and the focus on his brother in the case. Rob Reiner’s extensive film career, including directing classics like “The Princess Bride” and “A Few Good Men,” was a significant part of Hollywood history. He and Michele were married for 36 years, with their love story even influencing the ending of the iconic film “When Harry Met Sally.”