Nick Reiner is seeking access to a trust fund established by his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, as he awaits trial on charges related to their deaths.
The 32-year-old, who was arrested in December and has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, filed a petition in Los Angeles court on June 8, 2026, claiming he has been denied funds he became entitled to receive when he turned 30, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
According to the filing, Rob and Michele Reiner created separate trusts for each of their children, with half of Nick's trust assets scheduled to be distributed when he turned 30 and the remainder at age 35. Nick alleges he never received the first mandatory distribution and has not been informed of the trust's full value, which the petition claims exceeds $1.5 million.
The petition argues that the funds are not part of his parents' estate but belong to Nick through an irrevocable trust established for his benefit. His attorneys are seeking the release of money to cover legal expenses and other costs associated with his incarceration.
Legal experts told PEOPLE the dispute may hinge on whether Nick was already entitled to the trust distribution before his parents’ deaths and whether California’s Slayer Statute applies. The statute is designed to prevent someone from inheriting or receiving financial benefits from a person they are found to have unlawfully and intentionally killed. However, if Nick was already entitled to the funds before the alleged murders, the statute may not apply.
Nick Reiner has been behind bars since Dec. 14, when law enforcement and prosecutors allege he fatally stabbed his parents at their Los Angeles home. He pleaded not guilty in February. Nick's next criminal court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2026. ~ Megan Parsons
Sadly, he's probably going to get it. He was 31 when he committed the murders, which means he was entitled to it. So he'll be able to use his parents' money to defend himself for murdering them. A tragedy all around.
He may get it or may not depends on the way the trust is written up and the rules it has in it. If it says anything about committing crimes making him ineligible then he may not be able to get it. Some people put certain things in it that if you commit crimes you forefit your trust.
If he gets this trust fund because he was over 31 when he murdered his parents, there is no justice in this country anymore! When you murder your parents cruelly for no reason after they gave you the best life they could and even set up a trust fund to help you, you should receive NOTHING!!! There are exceptions to all rules & this case, more than any, definitely is an exception ; a cold blooded murderer of his own parents has no rights to anything except a fair trial by a judge or jury and if he has no other money, defense by a public defender, NOT some high priced attorney trying to get him off for killing his parents, 2 beloved, wonderful, beautiful generous kind caring people!!! He chose to commit this heinous crime & shouldn't be allowed to use this trust fund to try & get away with it! Unfortunately, though, I think they will probably give it to him & I hope it helps to put him away for the rest of his miserable life& then some!!!
Look at those eyes, he looks like he's on coke. I hope he's denied, what an insult to his parents, he murders them and all he can think of is money? What a despicable man. Lock him up ...NOW!
Nick didn't get the help he needed for whatever reason and now he has to face the consequences of his actions. I believe Nick will be able to access his trust fund because it is not an inheritance as such so it would not be listed as an asset in his parents will(s). Nick deserves his day in court and he is legally innocent until most likely proven guilty. Bottom line is none of us were there and the truth is still to be determined. RIP (even though I never was a fan) to 'Meathead" and his wife Michelle. I do have to thank Rob for Spinal Tap admittedly. My heart goes out to Nick's brother and sister who truly have been robbed. Imagine having everything life can offer, every opportunity and throwing it all away. Wow.
Sure, let him have it, but keep the f***er locked up for the rest of his life. He won’t get to spend it. He’s insane. Don’t let him back into society.
He wants the money for his defense, not to spend it. The trust fund his parents set up should pay for defending him against their murders. There's something very wrong about that.
"His attorneys are seeking the release of money to cover legal expenses and other costs associated with his incarceration." He doesnt want the trust fund , his grubby parasitic lawyers do. No funds should be available until the outcome of the trial. If found guilty the trust fund should be donated to organizations that counsel and help families and victims/ survivors of violent crime.
Curious on who belongs to the amputated fist on Nick shoulder?
Nick is mentally ill. The look in his eyes is a vacuous look – the look of someone very disturbed. I don’t condone what he did, but he obviously wasn’t in his right mind.
Nick is mentally ill. The look in his eyes is a vacuous look – the look of someone very disturbed. I don’t condone what he did, but he obviously wasn’t in his right mind.
I won't comment on whether Nick did kill his parents or not -- our legal structure states a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. That hasn't occurred yet so people should be withholding their prejudgement until after he's actually been tried and found guilty (or not). That said, doesn't anyone else question WHY Nick hadn't already received his trust monies? If legally held in trust until his 30th birthday, and he was over 31 at the time of his parents' deaths, why hadn't he already received those monies yet? Ì could only speculate that there were other contingencies attached to Nick receiving the trust monies, and sadly, perhaps the denial of getting the monies was motive for him murdering his parents, if such is the case. Whatever the end result, this is a tragedy for Rob & Michelle Reiner's other children and family, as well as society -- a brilliant, talented director, producer, writer and somewhat actor, is now gone. I shall miss his talents immensely. Rest in Peace.