Nick Reiner is demanding access to a $1.5 million trust set up by his late parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, who he is accused of murdering in their home in December 2025.
The 32-year-old is currently awaiting trial after he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing his parents to death. At an arraignment at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 23, he pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
Nick filed a petition on Monday, June 8, requesting half of the money from the trust fund established in his name, which he claims was supposed to be paid "outright when he turned 30." The remainder would be paid when he turned 35.
However, according to the court documents, Nick claims the trustee has not released the funds.
"The terms of Nick's Trust are not complicated, and they are not subject to reasonable dispute," the document stated, according to The Wrap.
© Getty Images"Nick's parents left unambiguous instructions about when the funds in the Trust were to be released to him. One-half of the Trust was required to be distributed to Nick outright when he turned 30.
"They further instructed that when he turned 35, he would receive the rest of the funds in his Trust. These distributions are mandatory and unconditional."
According to the petition, the trustee has voiced "unsubstantiated 'concerns' about Nick's so-called competence to 'manage a trust.'"
© Getty Images"These distributions are non-discretionary," the petition claims. "The trust does not authorize the Trustee to condition these distribution points on any subjective assessment by the Trustee as to Nick's intended use of those funds."
According to the documents, Nick wants to use the money to rehire "one of the country's most sought-after criminal defense attorneys," Alan Jackson, who was "forced to withdraw" from his case in January, "because the anticipated funding did not materialize." Nick is now represented by a public defender instead.
The petition claims that "the stakes for Nick could not be higher," adding that he told the trustee, "Time is of the essence," and explained that he needed Alan to avoid "further jeopardizing my defense in the criminal matter."
© Getty Images"He has made clear to the Trustee that he wants – and needs – the funds in his own Trust to be released so that he can pay for his criminal defense," the petition added. "Nick has no other means – to pay for his legal expenses, or for his basic support needs while incarcerated."
According to the petition, Alan is "ready, willing and able" to resume representing him.
Rob, 78, and his producer wife Michele, 70, died due to "multiple sharp force injuries" caused "with a knife, by another," on December 14, 2025, their death certificates revealed.
© Getty ImagesNick was arrested on December 15 and has remained in custody without bail since. He last appeared in court on April 29 for the preliminary hearing, which was pushed back to September 15, 2026.
If convicted, Nick faces "a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty."
