In a significant legal twist, Nick Reiner, son of the late Rob Reiner, is attempting to access funds from a trust established by his parents. This move comes as he faces charges of murdering them. The 32-year-old’s legal team filed a petition in Los Angeles County court, stating that trustees have withheld the funds unjustly, despite his need for a defense.
The court documents emphasize, “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.” His attorneys assert that, like anyone accused of a crime, Nick Reiner has the right to use his own resources for his legal defense.
“Nick is presumed innocent, and he is entitled to mount his defense with the resources that are lawfully his own,” the petition notes.
The deaths of Rob Reiner, a well-known director, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, occurred under tragic circumstances. They were found stabbed in their Brentwood home on December 14. Nick Reiner was soon after arrested and has since pleaded not guilty to the murder charges against him.
Initially, Nick Reiner hired renowned attorney Alan Jackson for his defense. However, Jackson stepped away from the case within a month, citing undisclosed reasons. The petition reveals that Nick’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to fund Jackson’s services but later changed their decision.
Alan Jackson, in a statement, expressed readiness to return to representation if the necessary funds from the trust are secured. According to the filing, the Reiner family trust itself is not being contested. However, the individual trust intended for Nick contains clear instructions from 1993 for him to receive parts of the funds at ages 30 and 35. The petition reveals Nick has not received the funds due at age 30, and trustee Paul R. Kanin has provided inconsistent reasons for withholding the money.
The petition argues that Nick’s current legal needs and basic requirements should qualify him for immediate access to the funds given the circumstances. The trust purportedly holds at least $1.5 million in assets, though the exact value remains undisclosed by the trustee.
Efforts to reach Kanin for comment were unsuccessful. As the legal proceedings progress, Nick Reiner is set for a pretrial hearing in September. While the possibility of the death penalty exists, a decision from District Attorney Nathan Hochman remains pending. Details regarding a motive or other specifics about the crime are scarce, with most information under seal.
In related developments, Jake Reiner has publicly described the ordeal of losing his parents and the involvement of his brother as deeply painful and beyond comprehension. Rob Reiner, known for directing significant films like “This is Spinal Tap” and “When Harry Met Sally…,” was a revered figure in Hollywood.