Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner, has requested access to his inherited trust fund to pay for his legal defense. In filings submitted to California's Superior Court, Reiner's attorneys claim that $558,000, which he was permitted to withdraw after his 30th birthday, is being illegally withheld.
Reiner, 32, asserts that he did not consent to any trustee indefinitely holding his Age-30 Distribution. His legal team has highlighted alleged conversations with his mother regarding the trust prior to her death, stating he does not recall authorizing its withholding. The filings express a desire for the funds, along with accrued interest, to be released.
A hearing is scheduled in Los Angeles before Judge Ruben Garcia to address the ongoing dispute over the trust fund. Reiner faces two murder charges and a potential sentence of life in prison following the deaths of his parents in December. The couple was found deceased in their $13.5 million mansion.
Reiner had initially hired high-profile attorney Alan Jackson but, unable to afford his services, has since been represented by a public defender. He seeks to rehire Jackson for his defense.
The trust fund, established by his parents when Reiner was an infant, has reportedly grown to $1.6 million. The professional fiduciary overseeing the trust, Jodi Pais Montgomery, has so far refused to disburse any funds, citing California's "slayer statute." This law prohibits individuals from inheriting money if they are convicted of feloniously and intentionally killing the benefactor.
Attorneys for the trustee's former manager argued in court papers that the slayer statute is a valid legal issue that a prudent trustee must address. They stated that the statute does not permit an exception for using a killer's inheritance for criminal defense costs. According to the filing, the funds would instead be paid to Reiner's siblings, Romy and Jake, for whom Montgomery also has a fiduciary responsibility.
Conversely, public defender Anita Wu has argued that the slayer statute is inapplicable because Reiner has not been convicted and is presumed innocent. She stated that the law requires a determination of guilt, not merely an accusation. Reiner has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.
The dispute over the trust money began in June when Reiner petitioned the probate court, accusing a successor trustee of failing to disburse the $558,000 he claimed was owed to him on his 30th birthday. While Reiner was not slated to receive further distributions until age 35, his legal team noted that early payments could be made for support, maintenance, health, and education. These funds, they argued, are necessary for basic commissary items and to fund his defense.
Lawyers for Reiner also contended that delays in accessing the funds would irreparably harm his defense, as his chosen counsel would be unable to investigate or prepare adequately. They accused the trustee of depleting Reiner's funds by paying lawyers to raise objections to releasing the money.
Reiner faces additional felony charges, including special circumstances related to multiple murders and the use of a deadly weapon. Prosecutors have indicated that the death penalty is a possibility if he is convicted. He has been held without bail since his arrest and is awaiting a court appearance in September.