Accused of Killing His Parents, Nick Reiner Is Now Fighting for Access to $1.7 Million Trust to Fund His Defense

Nick Reiner, the California man accused of fatally stabbing his parents last year, is now embroiled in a second legal battle, one that could determine who represents him as he fights two murder charges.

In a newly filed probate court petition, Reiner is seeking access to a $1.7 million trust fund established by his parents, arguing that a significant portion of the money should have been distributed to him nearly two years ago. According to the filing, he wants the funds released so he can rehire prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson, who briefly represented him after his arrest before withdrawing over a lack of funding.

The request comes as Reiner awaits the next phase of a criminal case that has drawn widespread attention since prosecutors accused him of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, in December 2025. Reiner has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and remains in custody while the case moves through the courts.

The probate dispute centers on a trust that Reiner says his parents created when he was born. According to the petition, the trust contains explicit instructions requiring half of its assets to be distributed when he turned 30 and the remaining balance when he reaches 35. Reiner celebrated his 30th birthday in September 2023, but claims he never received the first distribution.

His attorneys argue that the language of the trust leaves little room for interpretation and that the payment was mandatory. Court filings describe the distributions as “unconditional” and contend that continued efforts to withhold the funds directly contradict the wishes of his parents. The trustee overseeing the trust has taken a different view.

According to the petition, outgoing trustee Paul Kanin expressed concerns about releasing the money after Reiner's arrest, citing questions surrounding his competency and the possibility that California's “slayer statute” could eventually come into play. The law generally prevents individuals from inheriting or benefiting financially from the death of someone they are found to have unlawfully killed.

Reiner's legal team argues those concerns are speculative and legally irrelevant to the payment that became due long before the deaths occurred. They contend that the trustee has repeatedly changed the rationale for withholding the money and is improperly tying a trust issue to an unresolved criminal prosecution.

The dispute has become even more significant because of its potential impact on Reiner's defense. Alan Jackson, one of California's best-known criminal defense attorneys and a former senior prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, was initially retained shortly after Reiner's arrest. According to a declaration filed with the petition, Jackson was contacted by representatives of the Reiner family in the days following the deaths and was told funding would be available for private counsel.

Jackson says his firm immediately began work on the case, reviewing evidence, meeting with Reiner in custody, consulting experts, and preparing a defense strategy. But within weeks, he learned that the expected financial support would not materialize.

Without funding, Jackson said, continuing the representation became impossible. The attorney withdrew from the case in January, citing circumstances beyond his client's control, and Reiner's defense was transferred to the public defender's office. In the new filing, Jackson makes clear that he is willing to return if the trust funds become available.

The petition argues that legal representation is precisely why the trust money should be released now. Reiner's attorneys say no potential future use of the funds could be more important than defending against allegations that could send him to prison for life.

The filing also claims Reiner has struggled to access even basic necessities while incarcerated. According to the petition, promises were made to fund his jail commissary account, but no money was ever deposited. His lawyers say he wants access not only for legal fees but also for everyday items such as hygiene products and clothing available through the jail commissary system.

Another wrinkle emerged through documents attached to the filing involving Jodi Montgomery, the professional fiduciary best known for previously serving as conservator for Britney Spears during part of the singer's conservatorship. Montgomery has been selected as the proposed successor trustee following Kanin's resignation.

Emails included in the filing show that representatives for Montgomery sought a meeting with Reiner while he remains in custody. His public defender objected, warning that discussions involving third parties could potentially create legal complications and affect attorney-client privilegeattorney-client privilegeAttorney-client privilege protects confidential communications between a lawyer and a client when they are made for the purpose of seeking or providing legal advice. The privilege generally allows the client to prevent those communications from being disclosed in court or during litigation.Read more → in the criminal case.

Reiner is scheduled to return to court on September 15, when a judge could set a date for a probable cause hearing.