Nick Reiner, 32, who is accused of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, has requested access to the trust fund established by his parents to pay for his legal defense. Reiner's attorneys filed a motion in California's Superior Court, asserting that $558,000 previously allocated to him is being improperly withheld.
Reiner claims he did not consent to any trustee withholding his inheritance, particularly funds designated for distribution after his 30th birthday. His legal team argues that he desires to receive the money, including accrued interest, to fund his defense as he faces life in prison if convicted. A hearing to address the trust fund dispute is scheduled for Monday morning in Los Angeles.
Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents, who were found deceased in their $13.5 million mansion in December. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The indictment also includes special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and the use of a deadly weapon, which could make him eligible for life without parole or the death penalty. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has stated that the death penalty is being considered.
The trust fund, established by his parents when Reiner was an infant, has reportedly grown to $1.6 million. Jodi Pais Montgomery, the professional fiduciary overseeing the trust, has refused to disburse funds, citing California's "slayer statute." This law generally prevents individuals from inheriting from a victim they are accused of feloniously and intentionally killing.
Lawyers for the trustee stated that the slayer statute presents a genuine legal issue that must be resolved before any distributions can be made. They further noted that if Reiner were to receive the funds, they would ultimately go to his siblings, Romy and Jake, to whom Montgomery also has a fiduciary responsibility. The trustee's legal team argued that any payments made to Reiner would be irreversible, even though he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
However, Reiner's public defender, Anita Wu, countered that the slayer statute requires a conviction, not just an accusation. She emphasized that Reiner is presumed innocent and has not been convicted of any crime. Wu also argued that Reiner could be paid early from the trust for "support, maintenance, health and education," which could cover basic needs while incarcerated and his legal expenses.
The dispute over the trust funds began in June when Reiner petitioned the probate court, accusing a previous trustee, Paul Kanin, of failing to release the $558,000 he believed he was owed. At the time, Reiner's lawyers claimed that delays in accessing the funds were causing irreparable harm to his defense, preventing him from hiring private counsel and obtaining necessary supplies. He has been represented by a public defender since his arrest and is seeking to rehire his former high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson.
Reiner's parents were found dead hours after he was reportedly seen having a heated argument with his father at a holiday party. He was living in a guesthouse on his parents' property at the time of their deaths and has a documented history of mental health and substance abuse issues. He has been held without bail since his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court again in September.