Nick Reiner seeks access to $1.5 million trust fund to pay for parents' murder defence: Details here
Director Rob Reiner and photographer and movie producer Michele Singer Reiner's son is now reportedly seeking access to a more than $1.5 million trust fund that his parents left him to help pay for his defence after he was accused of double homicide.
Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, who were found stabbed to death in the primary bedroom of their Brentwood home on 14 December last year. Paramedics discovered the couple at around 3:40 PM, although prosecutors have said they were killed earlier that morning.
Reiner was arrested later that day at around 9:15 PM in Los Angeles' Exposition Park neighbourhood, roughly 15 miles from his parents' residence. Video obtained by NBC Los Angeles showed officers approaching him as he crossed a street before taking him into custody.
He faces two murder charges, along with a special-circumstances allegation involving multiple murders. Prosecutors have also alleged that he used a deadly weapon, identified as a knife. If convicted, the special allegations and circumstances could result in a harsher sentence.
On Monday (local time), Nick Reiner's attorneys filed a detailed petition in a Los Angeles court seeking access to his trust, which he was supposed to receive two years ago, NBC News reported on Tuesday. The petition stated that 32-year-old Reiner has been denied access despite "unambiguous instructions" left by his parents on how to disburse the funds in the trust that was established in 1993.
In the petition, his attorneys wrote, "Nick loved his parents, and he is devastated by their deaths. But the facts about what did and did not happen to them are not at issue in this Trust litigation." It further stated, "Like anyone accused of a crime, Nick is presumed innocent, and he is entitled to mount his defence with the resources that are lawfully his own."
According to the petition, Reiner was entitled to half of the trust when he turned 30 and should receive the remainder when he turns 35, distributions his attorneys described as "mandatory and unconditional."
It further stated that the trust fund represented a commitment by Nick's parents that these resources would belong to him for his use and benefit.
The petition claims that despite the trust fund holding more than $1.5 million, every dollar of which is meant for Nick's sole benefit and should have been released to him two years ago, “the Trustee still has not released the money he was due on his 30th birthday, or even told Nick its amount.”
Additionally, it noted, "Given the present circumstances, it is an abuse of the Trustee's discretion to refuse those requests," and added, "Nick is currently awaiting trial on double homicide charges. No use of his funds could be more important."
Reiner has also been unable to pay for what he needs while in jail or for criminal counsel.
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br>
Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br>
At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br>
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br>
Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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