Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been refused access to the $1.5 million US trust fund he sought for his legal defense. As per a filing in June, Reiner was trying to claim allegedly unpaid funds from a trust established by his parents in 1993.
Court documents obtained by CBC News revealed that trustees denied Reiner’s request for funds, citing California’s “slayer statute,” which prohibits individuals who have “feloniously and intentionally” killed someone from inheriting money or property from the deceased. Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and his wife 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 indicted on murder charges and has pleaded not guilty.
A grand jury indictment unsealed recently alleges that Reiner had planned the attack on his parents, potentially facing the death penalty due to the circumstances. District Attorney Nathan Hochman has yet to decide on seeking the death penalty. Reiner is set to appear in court for a pretrial hearing in September, represented by public defender Kimberly Greene.
Regarding the trust fund, the June filing mentioned that individual trust funds were also created for the Reiner children. Nick Reiner was supposed to receive half of his trust fund at 30 and the remaining amount at 35. However, Reiner claimed in a petition that he had not received the funds due to him at 30, accusing the trustees of denying him his rightful access to the money.
The fund reportedly holds over $1.5 million US in assets. Private attorney Alan Jackson was initially representing Reiner but withdrew after a brief period. Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover his legal expenses but later changed their decision. Jackson expressed willingness to rejoin the case if funds were available to retain him.
The legal representatives overseeing the trust fund stated in court documents that the funds couldn’t be allocated currently due to the uncertainty surrounding the criminal case against Reiner. The trust fund access will be determined based on the outcome of the criminal proceedings and any potential impact from legal statutes.
With many details still undisclosed to the public months after the incident, no motives have been speculated by authorities. Jake Reiner, the eldest sibling, shared his experience of the tragic events in an emotional statement earlier this year. Rob Reiner, known for his prolific career in the film industry, directed iconic movies like “The Princess Bride” and “A Few Good Men.” He met Michele while working on “When Harry Met Sally,” changing the film’s ending to reflect their real-life relationship. The couple was married for 36 years.