Nick Reiner demands his $1.5 million inheritance as he faces trial for parents' murder
Nick Reiner, who is accused of brutally murdering his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, has left many shocked after filing a petition demanding access to his enormous $1.5 million inheritance.
The 32-year-old, who has pleaded not guilty on both counts of murder, is now attempting to get his hands on his unclaimed inheritance, insisting he needs the money for his legal defence as well as basic amenities while in prison.
The petition filed with the California court and obtained by People magazine on 8 June, read: “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.
“Like anyone accused of a crime, Nick is presumed innocent, and he is entitled to mount his defense with the resources that are lawfully his own.”
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Nick is the son of the late director, Rob, and his wife, photographer and producer Michele, both of whom he is accused of murdering.
On 14 December, the pair were found stabbed to death in their home in Los Angeles. Their bodies were discovered by their youngest child, Romy, after they missed a massage appointment.
Their son, who was living in their home at the time, was later arrested and accused of murder, shortly after which he obtained a high-profile lawyer, Alan Jackson, to represent him in court.
However, only a month later, Jackson withdrew from the case, initially claiming he could not disclose the reason for his departure.
New filings have since revealed that Nick's siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, had gone back on their decision to financially support their brother's case, leaving him without the money to afford Jackson. He has since been left with a public defender, Kimberly Greene.
In the petition, Nick has claimed that he hasn't received the mandatory distribution of his parents' wealth, supposedly promised to him at the age of 30, though he is apparently unclear on how much the trust contains.
The petition, however, claims the figure exceeds $1.5 million but that he has been blocked from receiving it despite 'months of inquiries' due to concerns over Nick's competency to 'manage a trust'. It said these claims are unjustifiable.
Elsewhere, the petition demands the first half of his trust be made available to help cover his legal costs, as well as 'basic support items' such as soap and personal hygiene items.
According to Nick's 'present circumstances,' the petition called withholding the cash an 'abuse of the Trustee's discretion to refuse those requests' as no 'use of his funds could be more important.'
It also accused the Trust of ‘abusing the Trustee’s discretion’ in refusing his requests, arguing that ‘no other use of his funds could be more important’.
"The stakes for Nick could not be higher," states the petition.
The 32-year-old has been known to have suffered from substance abuse as a teenager and was briefly placed under conservatorship in 2020. He has denied all counts of murder.
Rob and Michele Reiner's deaths: A timeline of the investigation so far
13 December 2025: Rob Reiner and son Nick seen arguing at a holiday party
Reports emerged that Rob and Nick were seen arguing at TV host Conan O'Brien's holiday party, with a source telling PEOPLE: "Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous."
14 December 2025: Rob and Michele are killed in the 'early hours of the morning'
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced in a press release that the couple, who had been married for 36 years and shared three children, had allegedly been murdered in 'approximately the early morning hours' of 14 December.
The exact time of death remains unclear.
Their bodies would be discovered by police later that day, with sources stating that paramedics confirmed their deaths to their daughter, Romy.
14 December 2025: Nick is sighted and later arrested
On the evening of 14 December, just hours after his parents' bodies were discovered, Nick was seen on CCTV buying a drink at a gas station while wearing a green, white and black tracksuit jacket, a black cap and carrying a red backpack.
At 9.15pm that evening, Nick was arrested near the University of Southern California's campus in connection with Rob and Michele's killings.
Authorities said they were able to 'quickly' locate Nick near the campus, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
16 December 2025: Nick is charged with two counts of first-degree murder
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced during a press conference that Nick will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder, along with a special allegation that he used a knife.
17 December 2025: Nick makes his first court appearance
After being medically cleared, Nick made his first court appearance at the Los Angeles Superior Court wearing a blue anti-suicide smock and shackles.
When the judge asked Nick if he was okay waiving his right to a speedy arraignment, he replied: "Yes, your honor."
17 December 2025: Jake and Romy Reiner speak out
Romy and Jake shared a statement in the wake of their parents' deaths and brother's arrest, saying: "Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day."
"The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends," the statement read. "We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life."
17 December 2025: Rob and Michele's cause of death announced
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner released the couple's cause of death, which was recorded as multiple sharp force injuries.
Their manner of death was ruled as homicide.
7 January 2026: Nick's lawyer drops out
High-profile celebrity lawyer Alan Jackson announced he'd no longer be representing Nick, with him telling reporters: "Circumstances beyond my control, but more importantly circumstances beyond Nick's control, have made it impossible for us to continue our representation.
"I'm legally and ethically prohibited from explaining the reasons why."
23 February 2026: Nick pleads not guilty to murder
During his arraignment, Nick pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents, which was entered on his behalf by his new lawyer, Kimberly Greene.
Alice Wade