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Nick Reiner blocked from $1.5 million trust fund amid murder trial
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, is currently being blocked from accessing a $1.5 million trust fund intended to fund his legal defense. Reiner is facing two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, following the December 2025 stabbings of his parents in their Brentwood home.
Trustees, including professional fiduciary Jodi Pais Montgomery, have opposed Reiner’s request to access the funds by citing California’s “slayer statute.” This law prevents individuals who feloniously and intentionally kill a person from inheriting property or benefits from that person. The trustees argue that releasing the funds now would be irreversible if Reiner is subsequently convicted.
Reiner’s legal team, led by attorney Anita Wu, argues that the slayer statute should not apply because Reiner is presumed innocent and has not been convicted of a crime. They contend that the funds, a portion of which was due to him upon turning 30, should be released to cover legal fees and commissary expenses. A judge has postponed the hearing on this matter to October 23, 2026.
Entities
Anita Wu · California Superior Court · Jodi Pais Montgomery · Los Angeles County Superior Court · Los Angeles County Superior Court · Michele Reiner · Michele Singer Reiner · Nick Reiner · Rob Reiner
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] California law provides no exception for using an inheritance to fund criminal defense costs. offthepress.com · pulptastic.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Nick Reiner claims he did not consent to the withholding of the $558,000 distribution due to him upon turning 30. internewscast.com · www.dailymail.com · www.thewrap.com · deadline.com · www.foxla.com · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Trustees argue that releasing funds to Reiner now would be irreversible if he is later convicted. offthepress.com · pulptastic.com · seacoastoldies.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Nick Reiner is currently being represented by a public defender after his previous attorney stepped down. www.ladbible.com · seacoastoldies.com · www.foxla.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · dnyuz.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The trust fund in question was established by Rob and Michele Reiner for Nick Reiner in 1993. www.ladbible.com · pulptastic.com · internewscast.com · www.thewrap.com
- [● 13 SOURCES] Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder involving special circumstances including lying in wait. seacoastoldies.com · abc11.com · www.ladbible.com · offthepress.com · pulptastic.com · +8 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The slayer statute requires a formal determination of guilt rather than a mere accusation. offthepress.com · pulptastic.com · laopinion.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rob and Michele Reiner died from multiple sharp force injuries sustained in a homicide. www.ladbible.com