Nick Reiner Argues That His Carl Reiner Trust Funds Are Officially Exempt From the 'Slayer Statute'

A dispute over Nick Reiner's trust funds is before a California court as he awaits trial on charges alleging he murdered his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Singer Reiner. In papers filed Friday, Sept. 18, Reiner's lawyers argued that funds they say came from his grandfather, Carl Reiner, should fall outside California's so-called 'slayer statute.'

For context, fiduciaries overseeing the disputed assets have opposed Reiner's access to some of the money by citing California probate provisions that can prevent a person who feloniously and intentionally kills someone from receiving property or benefits from that person. Reiner's lawyers argue those provisions do not apply to assets they say were already his or originated with Carl Reiner.

Nick Reiner Trust Funds Dispute Centres on Carl Reiner Money

According to the civil filing, Reiner's lawyers said a 'substantial portion' of the disputed trust came from Carl Reiner, the actor, director and comedian who died on June 29, 2020, at age 98.

'Nick is not accused of causing his death,' the filing stated, according to reporting on the court documents.

Reiner's lawyers argue that money originating from Carl Reiner should be treated separately from assets connected to the estates of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. They also contend that assets they describe as Nick Reiner's own property should be segregated from the disputed trust and released.

Those claims remain arguments by Reiner's legal team rather than findings by the court.

Reiner has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him and has not been convicted. However, California law does not necessarily require a final criminal conviction before its slayer provisions can be considered in a probate dispute. Under California Probate Code Section 254, a court may independently determine under the civil preponderance-of-the-evidence standard whether a killing was felonious and intentional.

The civil dispute also involves money Reiner's parents allegedly placed in trust for him before their deaths. His lawyers said the arrangement called for half of those funds to be distributed when he turned 30 and the remainder when he reached 35.

Reiner turned 30 on Sept. 14, 2023. His lawyers said that, according to a successor trustee's calculation cited in their filing, at least $558,000 (£416,775.61.) became due and payable to him on that date.

They argue that Rob and Michele Singer Reiner were still alive when that payment allegedly became due and that the money therefore should not be treated in the same way as assets flowing from their estates after their deaths.

Nick Reiner Trust Funds Fight Extends to Criminal Defence

Reiner's lawyers have also linked the trust dispute to his ability to fund his criminal defence.

Earlier court filings said Reiner wanted access to the money in part to retain attorney Alan Jackson. Jackson withdrew from the criminal case on Jan. 7, saying circumstances beyond his and Reiner's control prevented him from continuing. A later filing by Reiner's lawyers said anticipated funding had not materialised.

In the latest trust dispute, Reiner's legal team argued that withholding assets they describe as his 'own untainted money' could prevent him from hiring representation he could otherwise afford.

That remains Reiner's position. No reported ruling has established that the disputed funds are exempt from California's slayer provisions.

The criminal case stems from the deaths of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead at their Brentwood home on Dec. 14, 2025. The Los Angeles County medical examiner determined that both died from multiple sharp force injuries and classified their deaths as homicides. Prosecutors accuse Nick Reiner of killing them.

A grand jury returned an indictment on July 20, and it was unsealed on Aug. 12. Reiner faces two murder counts, with special-circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. Prosecutors also allege that he personally used a knife.

Reiner has pleaded not guilty and has been held without bail.

On Sept. 15, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Hochman said prosecutors considered aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as the views of Reiner's siblings.

If convicted as charged, Reiner faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.