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- Battle over a $1.5 million trust and who can tap it
- Defense claims: he can’t even buy commissary items
- How the Slayer Statute factors into the trust fight
- Indictment and criminal allegations against Nick Reiner
- Background: health struggles and prior legal steps
- Courtroom moments and public remarks by attorneys
- Key names and filings in the record
- What the trust fight could mean for the criminal case
- Next steps in court and what to watch
As the legal drama around the deaths of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner unfolds, their son Nick faces another fight: access to a family trust while he awaits trial. New court papers and hearings have added a financial layer to the criminal case, fueling questions about who controls the estate and whether he can pay for a defense.
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Court filings show a dispute over a trust established by Rob and Michele at Nick’s birth. The trust holds roughly $1.5 million.
- Nick Reiner: son and defendant seeking access to funds.
- Paul R. Kanin: former trustee who opposed withdrawals.
- Jodi Pais Montgomery: successor trustee named in later filings.
Nick’s lawyers say he should have received part of the trust when he turned 30 in September 2023. Trustees have moved to block distributions, citing legal and factual concerns.
Defense claims: he can’t even buy commissary items
In recent replies filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Nick’s attorneys argued he lacks access to basic funds while detained.
The defense states he has not been able to withdraw even small sums to purchase everyday items from jail or to retain counsel of his choice. The attorneys who signed the filings were Anita P. Wu and Geoffrey A. Neri.
Those filings respond to objections from both Kanin and Montgomery. The defense frames the issue as one of fundamental access to funds that are legally his.
How the Slayer Statute factors into the trust fight
Trustees pushed back by invoking California’s Slayer Statute. That law bars killers from inheriting from their victims.
Trust representatives argue the statute could prevent Nick from receiving trust assets if he is found responsible for his parents’ deaths.
- The statute disqualifies a person who feloniously and intentionally kills the decedent from taking estate benefits.
- Trustees say the law justifies denying distributions while charges are pending.
Indictment and criminal allegations against Nick Reiner
Nick was indicted in connection with the December 14, 2025 deaths at the family home in Los Angeles.
Allegations and legal posture
- Charges: Two counts of first-degree murder.
- Special circumstances: Allegations include multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.
- Plea: Nick has entered a not guilty plea.
The indictment was made public in August. Rob Reiner was 78 at the time of his death. Michele Singer Reiner was 70.
Background: health struggles and prior legal steps
Defense filings note Nick’s long-running struggles with addiction and mental health. Those issues have been part of his counsel’s public comments.
In June, Nick sought a distribution from the trust. He argued the trust terms required payment of his share when he reached 30.
Courtroom moments and public remarks by attorneys
Nick and his counsel attended court in mid-August to press for access to the trust. The hearing drew media attention.
Outside the courthouse, a former attorney for Nick said the goal was clear: to allow Nick to use his own funds to secure legal representation and basic needs. The lawyer stressed the constitutional right to mount a defense.
Key names and filings in the record
Several people and documents appear repeatedly in the public record:
- Anita P. Wu and Geoffrey A. Neri — attorneys filing replies on Nick’s behalf.
- Jodi Pais Montgomery — successor trustee defending the decision to withhold funds.
- Paul R. Kanin — former trustee who also objected to distributions.
- Multiple court filings filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in mid-September and earlier months.
What the trust fight could mean for the criminal case
If Nick regains access, funds could be used to hire private counsel or pay for other defense needs. If trustees prevail, the money may remain frozen pending the outcome.
Trust lawyers say the Slayer Statute protects estate beneficiaries and justifies cautious handling of distributions while charges remain unresolved.
Next steps in court and what to watch
Further hearings are likely as attorneys for both sides push their legal theories. Courts will weigh the trustee duties, statutory law, and the rights of the accused.
Observers will watch whether the judge allows limited distributions for retained counsel or daily necessities while the criminal case progresses.
