The son of a legendary Hollywood director accused of a brutal double homicide may be barred from inheriting his family’s estimated $200 million fortune, but legal experts say he could still access significant funds to pay for his high-powered defense team.
Nick Reiner stands accused of fatally stabbing his parents, acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, inside their Brentwood home early Sunday morning.
The 78-year-old director and his wife were found dead, and their son now faces two counts of first-degree murder.
California law includes what’s known as the “Slayer Statute,” which prevents anyone convicted of intentionally killing another person from receiving assets from the victim’s estate.
Legal analysts say this would apply to the Reiner family fortune if Nick is found guilty.
Despite the potential loss of inheritance, Nick has retained prominent attorney Alan Jackson for his defense.
This development has raised questions about how the accused killer, who reportedly struggled with substance abuse and was living in his parents’ guest house, is financing such expensive legal representation.
Estate planning attorney Scott Schomer, who teaches at Loyola Law School, said it would be surprising if Rob Reiner did not establish a will and trust given his substantial wealth and age.
While the specific details of the family’s estate planning remain private, the New York Post reported that experts believe multiple avenues could exist for funding Nick’s defense.
One possibility involves Nick’s siblings stepping in to help. Rob Reiner has four children, including Nick’s older brother Jake, younger sister Romy, and adopted daughter Tracy from his first marriage.
These family members could potentially request that an estate trustee release funds for Nick’s legal expenses.
Schomer explained that trustees work on behalf of beneficiaries and hold authority over how estate assets are distributed.
Family members might choose to support their brother’s defense, particularly given his documented mental health struggles and history of drug problems.
Another scenario involves personal trusts that may have been established for Nick before the alleged crimes occurred. However, accessing these funds would likely still require approval from siblings or others connected to the estate, according to legal experts.
Neama Rahmani, an attorney with West Coast Trial Lawyers, noted that if Nick has a personal trust, he could potentially draw from it.
But he cautioned that trustees might suspend payments if they determine the funds no longer serve the trust’s intended purpose, potentially triggering additional legal battles.
The decision to release funds carries risks for trustees.
If Nick is ultimately convicted of murder, any money distributed to him could be considered improper since he would not be entitled to those assets under California law.
Schomer suggested other possibilities, including that Nick might have personal savings set aside or that Jackson could be handling the case without payment in exchange for the substantial publicity the high-profile trial will generate.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced this week that prosecutors are weighing whether to seek the death penalty against Nick. However, California has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2019 under the governor’s authority.
If convicted, the law would treat Nick as if he died before his parents, completely eliminating any claim to their estate.
Legal experts emphasized this principle aims to prevent individuals from profiting from heinous crimes.
Even an acquittal might not guarantee access to the family fortune.
Rahmani explained that if Nick is found not guilty by reason of insanity, civil litigation could still prevent him from collecting inheritance money.
The fundamental principle behind these laws is straightforward, according to Schomer. Society should not reward those who commit murder, particularly against family members, with financial gain from their crimes.
Nick was taken into custody Sunday night, hours after the discovery of his parents’ bodies. He remains in jail awaiting trial.
During a brief court appearance Wednesday, proceedings were continued.
His arraignment, where he will enter a formal plea, has been rescheduled for Jan. 7.
