The 32-year-old is facing two counts of first degree murder along with several additional felony charges stemming from the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, who were found dead at their Los Angeles home in December.
Prosecutors allege Nick Reiner was responsible for the killings and have indicated he could face the death penalty if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.
Why Nick Reiner Is Seeking Access to the Trust
The newly filed petition centers on a trust established by the Reiners for their children. According to the filing, the arrangement was designed to distribute funds in stages, with beneficiaries receiving half of their share at age 30 and the remainder at age 35. Reiner’s legal team argues that those terms entitled him to money years ago and that the funds should already be under his control.
Court documents reportedly state that the trust contains at least $1.5 million in assets. The filing further claims that Reiner has not received the portion he was supposed to obtain when he turned 30 and alleges that the trustee, attorney Paul R. Kanin, has repeatedly declined to release the money.
His attorneys maintain that the trust dispute is separate from the criminal proceedings and contend that Reiner remains entitled to access his assets while awaiting trial. The petition emphasizes that he is presumed innocent and argues that withholding the funds limits his ability to build a defense.
The filing also points to the departure of high profile defense attorney Alan Jackson from the case, claiming Reiner lacked the resources necessary to retain him. As a result, he is currently relying on representation through the public defender’s office while seeking access to the trust.
Reiner’s lawyers argue that delays could affect trial preparation and accuse the trustee of improperly withholding money that belongs to him under the terms of the trust. The court will now be tasked with determining whether those assets can be released while the criminal case against him continues to move forward.
