Nick Reiner, son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is seeking access to over $1.5 million from his trust fund to finance his defense against double homicide charges. On Monday, lawyers for Nick, aged 32, filed a petition in a Los Angeles court to release the funds, which he was supposed to access two years ago.
The petition argues that despite clear instructions from his parents on fund distribution, Nick has been denied access. His lawyers stated, “Nick loved his parents and is devastated by their deaths. The facts surrounding their death are not relevant to this trust litigation.” They emphasized that Nick, presumed innocent, has the right to use his lawful resources for defense.
This trust, part of the Reiners’ estate plan from 1993, operates independently from the larger family trust. Each of Rob and Michele Reiner’s three children, including Nick, has an individual trust. These trusts aim to independently benefit each child.
Nick Reiner’s attorneys, Anita P. Wu and Geoffrey A. Neri, and his siblings, Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy Reiner, 28, have not commented on the case. Nick has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges following the December killing of his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their Brentwood home. Nick was arrested shortly thereafter.
According to the petition, Nick was entitled to half the trust at 30 and should receive the rest at 35. His legal team describes these distributions as “mandatory and unconditional.” The petition claims, “The trust contains over $1.5 million solely for Nick’s benefit, yet nothing was given on his 30th birthday, nor has he been informed of its amount.”
Nick Reiner seeks these funds to cover his trial costs and jail commissary needs. The petition insists, “Given the current situation, withholding these funds is an abuse of the trustee’s discretion.” Due to financial constraints, Nick previously lost legal representation from Alan Jackson, later forced to rely on a public defender. Jackson expressed readiness to resume if funding allows.
Nick Reiner argues the funds should be disbursed per the trust’s terms. Progress in his case has been slow. Sources report adjustments to Nick’s schizophrenia medication before his parents’ deaths.
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