Nick Reiner Seeks 'At Least' USD 558K From Family Trust To Fund Defense As He Awaits Murder Trial
Rob Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, is seeking access to his grandfather's trust to fund his defense as he awaits his trial for the brutal murder of both his parents. He pleads not guilty to the charges.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleNick Reiner is seeking access to at least USD 558,000 from a family trust to help fund his criminal defense, arguing that he has not received even USD 5 for jail commissary items while awaiting trial in the deaths of his famous parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
The 33-year-old has been in custody since December 2025 and faces two counts of first-degree murder for his parents, but has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Here's what Nick's new court filing says about his defense funds to put his case.
Nick Reiner claims he 'hasn't even received USD 5' from his family's trust, even though USD 558K became due when he turned 30
In two legal replies filed on September 17, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Reiner’s attorneys challenged objections from successor trustee Jodi Pais Montgomery and former trustee Paul R. Kanin, arguing that their client cannot access money for basic necessities or private legal representation.
According to filings obtained by PEOPLE, Nick's attorneys Anita P. Wu and Geoffrey A. Neri wrote, "In the meantime, Nick still has not been able to access even USD 5 from his trust to buy basic subsistence items from the jail commissary."
The dispute is over the Nick Reiner Children’s Trust, which his parents Rob and Michele Reiner established in 1993. It is said to contain about USD 1.6 million, and Nick is named as the sole beneficiary. His lawyers say that the Age-30 Distribution provision made him entitled to at least USD 558,000 when he turned 30 on September 14, 2023.
The filing states, "By the Successor Trustee's own calculation, at least USD 558,000 became due and payable to him that day," adding that both his parents were alive and Nick was facing no accusations of wrongdoing when the amount matured. Therefore, the money should not be subject to California's Slayer Statute, which can prevent someone from benefiting financially from causing unlawful death.
The attorneys also contend that at least USD 325,017.49 in trust assets originated with Reiner’s grandfather, Carl Reiner, who died in June 2020. They argue that those funds should not be withheld under the statute because Nick is not accused of causing his grandfather's death.
In a separate filing, Reiner's attorneys allege that Kanin agreed on April 21, 2026, to deposit money into his jail commissary account but never did so. They wrote, "No deposit was ever made. Kanin never withdrew the commitment; it was simply never honored."
Kanin, who served as the family’s trustee for some 15 weeks before resigning in May 2026, denied that he had breached his fiduciary duties, saying he had acted prudently.
Reiner family's trustees have denied Nick's request for the defense fund
The trust's Successor trustee, Jodi Pais Montgomery, has reportedly countered Nick's request for the funding. Montgomery argues that trust distributions should be withheld until the criminal case concludes.
Reiner's attorneys claim that the delay has prevented him from paying for private defense counsel and experts. They are asking the court to order payment of the Age-30 Distribution, fund his commissary account, and clarify whether the trust assets can be used for legal expenses. The lawyers also allege that trustees’ attorneys have already incurred more than USD 250,000 in fees, paid from the trust.
Nick was indicted in July 2026 on two counts of first-degree murder, along with special-circumstance allegations. If convicted, he will reportedly face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on September 15, 2026, that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty.
A hearing on the trust dispute is scheduled for October 23, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET) before Judge Ruben Garcia at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Should Nick Reiner be entitled to the trust fund?
Image courtesy: X Photos
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