Nick Reiner, who is 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 trying to access for his legal defense. In a filing from June, Reiner was attempting to claim purportedly unpaid funds from a trust established by his parents in 1993.
Trustees declined Reiner’s request for the funds, citing California’s “slayer statute,” which bars individuals who have intentionally killed someone from inheriting money or property from the deceased. Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and Michele Reiner, a photographer and producer, were fatally stabbed in their California residence on December 14, 2025. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested shortly after.
Nick Reiner, aged 32, was formally charged with murder on July 20 and has pleaded 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. The District Attorney is yet to determine whether to pursue this penalty.
Reiner is set to appear in court for a pretrial hearing in September and is currently being represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. The filing disclosed that aside from the main family trust fund, individual trust funds were set up for the Reiner children. Nick was entitled to half of his trust fund at age 30 and the remainder at 35, as per the document.
Despite the legal situation, Reiner claimed in a petition that he had not received the funds due to him at 30, alleging that the trustees were withholding his rightful access. The petition stated that the fund held at least $1.5 million US. Notably, high-profile attorney Alan Jackson was initially retained to represent Reiner but later withdrew without explanation. Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover his legal fees but later reversed their decision.
The lawyer overseeing the trust fund and the incoming trustee determined in court documents that until the criminal case against Reiner is resolved, the fund cannot be accessed. They emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the case’s outcome and its implications on Reiner’s eligibility for the funds. Motives behind the killings remain unknown to the public eight months later.
Jake Reiner, the eldest son of the deceased couple, shared his anguish over his parents’ murder in April, describing it as a “living nightmare.” He expressed his perspective on the case, particularly regarding his brother’s involvement. Rob Reiner, known for his extensive contributions to the film industry, directed well-known movies such as “The Princess Bride,” “A Few Good Men,” and “Stand By Me.” He met Michele during the filming of “When Harry Met Sally,” and they were married for 36 years.