Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last year, has been rejected access to the $1.5 million US trust fund he sought for his legal defense. In a June submission, Reiner was trying to claim allegedly unpaid funds from a trust set up by his parents in 1993.
Court documents from CBC News reveal that trustees turned down Reiner’s request based on California law’s “slayer statute,” which prohibits individuals from inheriting assets from someone they have intentionally killed. Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and Michele, a photographer and producer, were fatally stabbed in their California residence on December 14, 2025, with their son Nick later arrested.
Facing murder charges since July 20, the 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty. An indictment by a Los Angeles County grand jury suggests that Reiner was lying in wait before the attack, potentially leading to the death penalty. However, the District Attorney’s office is yet to decide on seeking it.
Reiner is set for a pretrial hearing in September, currently represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. The filing mentioned that aside from the family trust fund, individual trust funds were also set up for the Reiner children, with Nick entitled to half at 30 and the remainder at 35. Alleging denial of his entitlement, Reiner claimed in a petition that he hadn’t received his funds at 30.
High-profile attorney Alan Jackson initially represented Reiner but left without explanation. Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover his legal fees before reversing their decision. Paul R. Kanin and Jodi Pais Montgomery overseeing the trust fund concluded that funds couldn’t be released due to the ongoing criminal case against Reiner and the potential impact of the “slayer statute.”
More than eight months post the incident, many details remain undisclosed, with no motives speculated by authorities. Jake Reiner, the eldest son, shared his struggles in coping with his parents’ murder and the spotlight on his brother. Rob Reiner’s significant contributions to the film industry were highlighted, including directing iconic films like “The Princess Bride” and “A Few Good Men.” His enduring romance with Michele, whom he met during the filming of “When Harry Met Sally,” was also noted, culminating in a 36-year marriage.
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