Nick Reiner, who is accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last year, has been denied access to a $1.5-million US trust fund he sought to use for his legal defense. As per a June filing, Reiner had been trying to claim allegedly unpaid funds from a trust established for him by his parents in 1993.
Trustees refused Reiner’s request for the funds, referencing a section of California law known as the “slayer statute,” which prohibits individuals from inheriting assets from someone they have unlawfully killed. Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and his wife, Michele, a photographer and producer, were fatally stabbed in their California home on December 14, 2025, with their son Nick Reiner being arrested shortly after. The 32-year-old has been charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty.
The indictment by a Los Angeles County grand jury, unveiled last Wednesday, alleges that Reiner ambushed his parents before the assault, potentially leading to the death penalty. District Attorney Nathan Hochman has not yet decided on seeking this penalty.
Reiner is set for a pretrial hearing in September and is currently represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. Apart from the family trust fund, smaller trust funds were established for the Reiner children individually. Reiner was supposed to receive half of his fund at 30 and the remainder at 35, according to the filing. He claimed in the petition that he never received the funds due to him at 30, accusing the trustees of withholding his rightful access to the money.
The fund contained at least $1.5 million US in assets. High-profile attorney Alan Jackson was initially hired to represent Reiner but departed without explanation. Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover his legal expenses before changing their minds. Jackson expressed willingness to rejoin the case if funds were available for his retention.
Lawyer Paul R. Kanin and incoming trustee Jodi Pais Montgomery decided in court documents that the fund could not be distributed until the outcome of Reiner’s criminal case was clear. The trust fund’s access is contingent on understanding how Probate Code Section 250 and associated “slayer statute” principles could impact Reiner’s entitlement to the funds.
Eight months after the tragedy, many details remain undisclosed, with authorities refraining from speculating on motives. Jake Reiner, the eldest son, shared his anguish in April about the ordeal of his parents’ murder and the focus on allegations against his brother.
Rob Reiner, a stalwart in the film industry, was known for his directing work in iconic movies like “The Princess Bride,” “A Few Good Men,” and “Stand By Me.” He met Michele while working on the classic rom-com “When Harry Met Sally,” altering the film’s ending to mirror their real-life romance. The couple was married for 36 years.