Nick Reiner’s Legal Team Argues Grandfather’s Funds Exempt Trust From Slayer Statute

Key points

• Nick Reiner’s lawyers filed new civil court documents on September 18, 2026, arguing that a substantial portion of his $1.6 million trust comes from his grandfather, Carl Reiner, who died in 2020, and thus should not be withheld under California’s Slayer Statute.
• The filing asserts that at least $558,000 became due to Reiner when he turned 30 in September 2023, before his parents’ deaths, and that he has not received any funds since his December 2025 arrest.
• Reiner’s attorneys claim the trustees have spent over $250,000 of his trust on their own defense fees, leaving him without resources for basic needs or new criminal counsel, including star attorney Alan Jackson.
• The trustees, including Jodi Pais Montgomery, previously served as Britney Spears’ conservator, have cited the Slayer Statute to block access, arguing that releasing funds would be irreversible and that Reiner’s portion should transfer to his siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner.
• Prosecutors confirmed they will not seek the death penalty for the 2025 murders of Rob and Michele Reiner, a decision influenced by input from Reiner’s siblings, and no trial date has been set.

Background

Nick Reiner was arrested in December 2025 following the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, at their Los Angeles home. He has been held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility since then. In August 2026, his attorneys first sought access to the trust, but the request was blocked by trustees citing the Slayer Statute. A hearing was scheduled for October 23, 2026, to address the dispute. The trust, established in 1993, is valued at $1.6 million, with provisions for distributions at ages 30 and 35. Reiner’s previous attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case in January 2026 due to funding issues. Prosecutors announced in September 2026 that they would not seek the death penalty after consulting with Reiner’s siblings.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize the financial strain on Reiner’s defense, noting that trustees have spent over $250,000 of his trust on their own fees while he lacks resources for basic needs. TheWrap highlights the legal argument that funds from Carl Reiner, who died in 2020, are exempt from the Slayer Statute, as Reiner is not accused of causing his grandfather’s death. All sources agree that the trustees, including Jodi Pais Montgomery, have blocked access under the Slayer Statute, but differ in emphasis: Page Six focuses on the lack of family support in court, while The Hollywood Reporter notes Montgomery’s prior role as Britney Spears’ conservator. TheWrap stresses the distinction between parental and grandparental funds, a point not detailed in the other sources.

Why it matters

The case tests the boundaries of California’s Slayer Statute in cases where funds originate from a deceased relative other than the victim. It raises questions about the rights of presumed-innocent defendants to access their own assets for legal defense. The outcome could influence how trusts and estates are handled in high-profile murder cases, particularly when funds are derived from multiple sources. The dispute also highlights the financial strain on defendants who lack access to their own resources, potentially affecting the fairness of their trials. The involvement of high-profile figures, including Rob Reiner and Carl Reiner, adds public interest to the legal and ethical dimensions of the case.

What to watch

The next hearing on the trust dispute is scheduled for October 23, 2026. Reiner’s attorneys may seek to rehire Alan Jackson if funds are released. Prosecutors have not set a trial date, but the case is expected to proceed in 2026. The outcome of the trust dispute could impact Reiner’s ability to secure new legal counsel and prepare for trial. The case may also influence future interpretations of the Slayer Statute in cases involving multiple sources of inheritance.