How Nick Reiner could use his parents’ money to pay his legal bills — despite California’s ‘Slayer Statute’
Rob Reiner’s son, Nick, is fighting a brutal murder case that could bar him completely from a fortune of roughly $200 million should he be found guilty. Even if he loses all inheritance rights, the legal experts say he might still tap into part of the family’s wealth to cover the astronomical costs of his courtroom battle.
California enforces a “Slayer Statute” that bars anyone convicted of intentionally killing a person from touching any assets left by the victim. The law directly applies to Reiner’s estate, which is estimated at about $200 million.
High‑profile lawyer Alan Jackson has taken on Nick’s defense. That raised questions about how the accused, who’s had a history of drug use and was staying in his parents’ guest house when the crime took place, is financing a top‑tier attorney.
The case hinges on the fact that Reiner, a 78‑year‑old film director, likely had a will and a trust in place given his age and assets. These documents could dictate whether any money might go towards legal expenses if someone was convicted of murder.
On a sad Sunday morning, Nick allegedly stabbed both Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, inside their Brentwood home, resulting in two counts of first‑degree murder. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office was weighing the possibility of seeking the death penalty, though statewide moratoriums have halted executions since 2019.
Whether any of the estate or trust reserves will be used to pay Nick’s legal fees is still unclear. California estate‑planning lawyer Scott Schomer noted that Nick’s siblings—Jake and Romy—or any other beneficiary of Reiner’s will might need to approve the disbursement if a trust is set up to cover defences.
Schomer compared the trustee to “a CEO to shareholders”: the individual manages assets for the designated beneficiaries. The lawyer emphasized that if Nick were convicted, he would be deemed to have predeceased his parents, negating his right to any payout from that estate.
“Someone shouldn’t profit from such a heinous act,” Schomer said. “You can’t profit from murdering someone.”
Another point is whether Nick has any personal savings earmarked for a legal team, or if Jackson is taking the case pro‑bono for the publicity. There’s also the possibility of a private trust existing for Nick, but a trustee could withdraw funding if they see no justification.
West Coast Trial Lawyers attorney Neama Rahmani cautioned that a trustee might stop payments if they’re no longer furthering the trust’s purpose, potentially provoking a dispute with Nick.
If the court determines that Nick is guilty, state law will bar him from any inheritance. If he is found not guilty—perhaps by reason of insanity—civil litigation could still arise to prevent him from claiming any of the Reiners’ assets.
Nick was booked late Sunday after the double killing and has remained in custody. He appeared briefly in court on Wednesday, but his arraignment is scheduled for January 7, when he will enter his plea.
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