Why Nick Reiner Still Has Access To Parents' Estate Plan Despite Heinous Double Homicide Act

The tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, has left behind a fortune built over decades for their children and raised questions about Nick Reiner's place in it. 

On Sunday, the “All in the Family” icon and his partner were discovered dead inside their Brentwood mansion. Their son Nick was later arrested in connection with the killings. Despite the charges, he still holds legal access to his parents' will.

As he faces two counts of first-degree murder, more details about Nick's life have surfaced, including struggles with addiction and recent claims that he felt "entitled" and refused to work.

Trusts attorney Sean Weissbart weighed in on Nick’s standing in his late parents' inheritance, explaining that until a felony conviction or a civil ruling is made, Nick can still review the trust documents.

"I don't think that just because someone is suspected of a crime that that would necessarily preclude them from seeing a will or finding out what they might have otherwise received," Weissbart told PEOPLE Magazine.

However, Nick’s access doesn’t guarantee he is eligible to inherit his parents' will, as if he is ultimately found guilty, a particular state law bars him from receiving anything. 

"California has what's called a slayer statute, which says if you kill someone that you're going to inherit from, you lose your inheritance and any right to serve as a fiduciary of their estate,” Weissbart explained.

The legal practitioner added that the statute can apply even without a criminal conviction, as a civil court may still rule that the killing was intentional.  Additionally, enforcing the statute is the responsibility of other interested parties or the court, not Nick himself.

Despite his position in his parents' estate being uncertain, Nick is reportedly still benefiting from it.

A source claimed the money used to retain high-profile defense attorney Alan Jackson is coming directly from Rob and Michele Reiner's pocket.

According to The Blast, the insider, who maintained close ties with Rob's father, legendary filmmaker Carl Reiner, said the bereaved family personally chose to hire Jackson, regardless of the cost.

The source further alleged that relatives would rather see a portion of the Reiners' estimated $200 million fortune spent on influencing the outcome of the case.

They are said to prefer Nick being committed to a mental health facility rather than serving time behind bars.

Nick appeared in court earlier on Wednesday but did not enter a plea. His attorney, Jackson, requested an adjournment, telling the judge he needed more time to prepare the case.

The 32-year-old suspect agreed to the request when the judge asked if it was what he wanted. The hearing was rescheduled for January 7, with Nick ordered to remain in custody without bail.

Following the “Being Charlie” co-writer's court appearance, officials released the cause of death of the 78-year-old film director and his spouse.

Per The Blast, authorities confirmed the couple died from a violent attack, citing multiple sharp-force injuries. Both deaths have been ruled homicides, with their residence listed as the location.

After the Wednesday hearing, Nick’s attorney addressed the press, urging the public to avoid speculation and allow the judicial process to run its course.

While acknowledging the emotional weight of the situation, calling it "a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family," Jackson urged people not to "rush to judgment."

He stressed that the matter involves "complex and serious issues" that must be addressed with care and precision.

As legal proceedings continue, more details about Nick’s character are emerging. A close family friend claimed that Nick wanted to live without working and expected the same acceptance his family received.

"Nick wanted a life that didn't exist. He felt entitled," the source said, as reported by The Blast. "He didn't want to put in the work but still expected to be loved the same way as the rest of his family."

Nick has previously spoken about his struggles with self-identity amid his father's and grandfather's fame, as well as his long-running battles with substance abuse and repeated stints in rehab that began in his teenage years.