Nick Reiner has filed a petition seeking access to money held in a trust, adding a new development to his ongoing legal situation. The filing comes as Nick remains at the center of a high-profile criminal case following the murders of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
Nick was represented by a high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, who withdrew from the case in January after the accused’s siblings, Romy and Jake, decided to stop funding their brother’s defense. Public defender Kimberly Greene has since taken Jackson’s place.
Nick Reiner Claims He Is Owed Trust Money
In a court filing obtained by PEOPLE, Nick Reiner, who stands accused of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is requesting a California court to grant him access to a trust fund in order to re-hire his former attorney Alan Jackson.
“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,” the petition read. Details reveal that the Reiners set up a trust fund for each of their children, with Nick claiming that he has not received any amount.
The trust reportedly states that 32-year-old Nick should have been granted access to half of the amount at age 30, while the rest will be distributed when he reaches 35 years old. The exact amount held in the trust is unclear, but Nick believes it amounts to more than $1.5 million.
The Defendant Wants To Re-Hire His Lawyer
According to the petition, Nick has repeatedly inquired about his trust to no avail, claiming he was repeatedly given “excuses and justifications” about why he wasn’t being granted access to the money.
He believes he is owed half of the trust, which he noted will be used for legal expenses, including re-hiring his former lawyer and funding his commissary account. The petition read, “These distributions are non-discretionary. 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.”
The filing also noted that “time is of the essence,” as Nick wanted to prevent “further jeopardizing” his defense in the upcoming murder trial.
Why Did Alan Jackson Withdraw From The Case?
Nick hired high-profile attorney Alan Jackson on December 16, 2025, two days after his parents’ murder. In January 2026, however, Jackson withdrew from the case, only saying that he did so under “circumstances beyond control.” Public defender Kimberly Greene took over as Nick’s attorney.
Many assumed that Jackson’s withdrawal had to do with Nick not being able to afford a retainer, but in an interview with Billy Bush, Jackson shut down the speculation. “You can’t say that something happened with the retainer because I’ve never said that,” Jackson said, adding that he still has his former client’s best interest despite no longer representing him.
A month later, reports said Nick’s siblings, Jake and Romy, had decided to no longer be involved in their brother’s case and would not be hiring a private lawyer for him, per The Blast.
The Murders Of Rob And Michele Reiner
On the afternoon of December 14, 2025, emergency responders were called to the Brentwood home of Rob and Michele. It was determined that the couple had already been deceased for hours, and a homicide investigation began.
Later that night, Nick was arrested on suspicion of murder, and two days later, he was charged with the murders of his parents. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the couple sustained “multiple sharp force injuries” that led to their deaths.
Multiple revelations about Nick were reported following his parents’ murders, including his history of addiction, volatile behavior, and mental health battles. The night before the murders, Rob, Michele, and Nick attended Conan O’Brien’s holiday party, in which Nick reportedly had an argument with his father and was acting erratically.
Nick Reiner Pleaded Not Guilty
In February 2026, Nick entered a not guilty plea on the two counts of first-degree murder charges with special circumstances. He again appeared briefly in court in April, with the judge setting September 15 as his next court date.
The prosecutors have not determined whether to pursue the death penalty against Nick. He remains in jail without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.