Rob Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, is asking a California court to release money from a trust his parents created for him, arguing that he needs the funds to pay for his legal defense as he faces charges in their killings.

The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner. The couple was found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14, 2025, and Nick Reiner was arrested later that same day.

According to a petition filed in Los Angeles County, Reiner’s attorneys claim trustees overseeing his trust have improperly withheld money that his parents intended for him to receive years ago.

“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 filing states. “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.”

The dispute centers on a trust established for Reiner in 1993. Court filings say Rob and Michele Reiner created separate trusts for each of their children and gave “unambiguous instructions” that Nick would receive half of his share at age 30 and the remainder at age 35.

His attorneys argue that he never received the first distribution and is now seeking access to both portions of the trust. They contend that the trustee, attorney Paul R. Kanin, has offered “a shifting series of excuses and justifications” for denying the payments.

The filing also argues that Reiner’s legal situation creates an urgent need for the funds. In addition to covering legal costs, his attorneys say he requires money for basic necessities while incarcerated. They estimate the trust holds at least $1.5 million in assets, though they claim the trustee has not disclosed its exact value.

The petition sheds new light on Reiner’s legal defense. It reveals that prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson, who briefly represented him after his arrest, stepped away from the case less than a month later. While Jackson did not publicly explain his departure, the filing says Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to help pay for his representation before later changing course.

In a declaration attached to the petition, Jackson said, “my firm stands ready, willing, and able to resume representation of Mr. Reiner” if funding becomes available.

Meanwhile, the criminal case continues to move slowly through the court system. Reiner is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing in September. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has not yet decided whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

Many details surrounding the case remain unknown. Authorities have disclosed little information about a possible motive, and a court order has kept much of the autopsy information confidential. As a result, many of the most significant questions surrounding the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner remain unanswered.

In April, Nick Reiner’s brother Jake described the family’s ordeal as “a living nightmare” that is “too devastating to comprehend.”

Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most successful directors, known for beloved films including “Stand By Me,” “When Harry Met Sally...,” “A Few Good Men,” and “This Is Spinal Tap.” He and Michele Singer Reiner were married for 36 years.