World · North America · 7 hrs ago
Mediator to decide whether Nick Reiner can access trust funds for his defense
Nick Reiner is accused of killing his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, in Los Angeles in December 2025, and has pleaded not guilty.
He is being held without bail while the criminal case proceeds.
A mediator will decide whether he can access money in a trust set up by his parents to help pay for his defense.
Reiner’s lawyers say part of the money should already belong to him, including funds from his grandfather, Carl Reiner.
The trust’s managers argue that California’s slayer statute bars him from receiving money linked to people he is accused of killing, even though he has not been convicted.
The dispute affects his ability to hire lawyer Alan Jackson, who withdrew from the case because of financial constraints; public defender Anita Wu is currently representing him.
Trust funds are also paying lawyers involved in the dispute, and court filings say the trustees’ legal fees have exceeded $250,000.
Mediation is due to begin in December, but no decision on access to the money is stated.
Lawyers for Nick Reiner and the trust set up by his parents have agreed to let a mediator decide whether he can access trust funds.
Reiner’s lawyers say he needs the money to pay for his defense and his chosen lawyer, Alan Jackson.
The trust’s fiduciaries argue that California’s slayer statute bars him from receiving an inheritance from people he is accused of killing.
The mediation is due to begin in December.
The articles differ on when Reiner pleaded not guilty: one says February, while the other says August.
- Who
- Nick Reiner, who is accused of killing his parents.
- What
- A mediator will decide whether he can access money in the trust set up by his parents.
- When
- The deal was reported on October 23, 2026. Mediation is due to begin in December.
- Where
- The dispute was heard in L.A. Superior Court, according to AV Club.
- Why
- Reiner’s lawyers seek funds for his legal defense; the trust’s fiduciaries cite California’s slayer statute.
Nick Reiner’s lawyers
The trust’s fiduciaries
Access to trust funds
Nick Reiner’s lawyers
They argue Reiner should be able to use money that is lawfully his for his defense.
The trust’s fiduciaries
They argue California’s slayer statute bars him from accessing the money.
Grandfather’s funds
Nick Reiner’s lawyers
Reiner’s lawyers say at least $325,000 came from his grandfather and should be released.
The trust’s fiduciaries
They maintain that Reiner is barred from accessing money in the trust.
Carl Reiner, Nick Reiner’s grandfather, died.
Nick Reiner became eligible to access $558,000 from the trust when he turned 30, but AV Club reports that he chose not to withdraw it.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found stabbed to death in their home, according to AV Club.
Lawyers for Reiner and the trust agreed to let a mediator decide whether he can access trust funds.
Mediation is due to begin.
- Trust value
- $1.5 million
- Amount eligible at age 30
- $558,000
- Amount attributed to grandfather
- At least $325,000
- Trust lawyers’ fees
- More than $250,000
- Chosen lawyer
- Alan Jackson
3 sources
What people are saying
A criminal defendant has a constitutional right to use money that is lawfully his own to be defended by the lawyer he chooses,
Every week that this trust dispute continues, Nick continues to be deprived of his constitutional right to defend himself using money that is lawfully his to pay for the lawyer he has chosen, which is Alan Jackson,
None of that makes any sense, or serves anyone’s interests.
Nick is not accused of causing his death.