Nick Reiner Still Gets Zero From $1.5 Million Trust While In Jail

**Nick Reiner Claims He Has Not Received a Dollar from Family Trust Amid Murder Trial**

Nick Reiner, 32, is in Los Angeles Superior Court awaiting trial over the first‑degree murders of his parents, film producer Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. His attorneys filed two responses to trustee Jodi Pais Montgomery and former trustee Paul R.

Kanin on September 17, arguing that Reiner has not been able to access any funds from the family trust.

In the filings, Anita P. Wu and Geoffrey A.

Neri wrote that “Nick still has not been able to access even $5 from his trust to buy basic subsistence items from the jail commissary.” They also noted that Reiner “has been unable to access money that is lawfully his own— to re‑engage criminal defense counsel, or even for basic subsistence items from the jail commissary.”

## Background & Context

The indictment, unsealed on August 12, accuses Reiner of murdering his parents at their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025. Rob was 78 and Michele was 70 when they were killed. Reiner has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.

He has a history of addiction and mental health issues.

Reiner’s legal dispute over the trust dates back to June, when he first attempted to claim his share of a $1.5 million fund set up by his parents at his birth in 1993. He asserted that he was entitled to half of that sum upon turning 30 in September 2023. Early August, lawyers for both his former and current trustee—Paul R.

Kanin and Jodi Pais Montgomery—filed motions to block him from receiving any money from the trust under California’s “Slayer Statute.” The statute bars a person who “feloniously and intentionally kills the decedent” from accessing the deceased’s assets.

Reiner appeared in court on August 17 to seek access to the trust. His former attorney, Alan Jackson, told reporters outside the courthouse that “the main thing to take away from today’s hearing and moving forward is Nick Reiner is very much entitled to his own money, his own funds. That’s what this process is about…

He’s made a determination that he wants to be able to use his funds that are in his trust account to decide on his criminal counsel. When he is allowed to do that, he will then be able to defend himself in the way that the constitution indicates he should and can defend himself.”

## What Happened

The latest filings, obtained by People, show Reiner’s attorneys continuing to challenge the trustee’s refusal to release funds. They argue that even a nominal amount—less than $5—would allow Reiner to purchase basic necessities from the jail commissary while he awaits trial.

The attorneys emphasize that the money is “lawfully his own,” and its withholding hampers his ability to secure legal representation.

Both responses were directed to different trustees, reflecting the split in control over the trust. The court documents do not yet indicate whether the judge will grant Reiner’s request or uphold the trustee’s objections.

## What Happens Next

Reiner’s case remains pending in Los Angeles Superior Court. The next court date has not been announced, but the trust dispute is a key issue that could influence his preparation for trial.

If the judge allows Reiner to access any portion of the $1.5 million fund, he would be able to pay for subsistence items and potentially re‑engage a criminal defense team. Conversely, if the court upholds the trustee’s stance, Reiner may remain unable to obtain even a minimal amount of money from his own trust.

The legal battle over the trust reflects the broader conflict between Reiner’s claim to inherited assets and California’s Slayer Statute. The outcome will determine whether he can fund his defense and basic needs while awaiting adjudication on the murder charges.