Nick Reiner's trust fund request faces major hiccup under California law

Nick Reiner, who is facing murder charges in connection with the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been blocked from accessing money from a family trust fund.

Reiner, 32, filed a request in court back in June to access funds from a trust his parents set up for him decades earlier, reportedly worth more than $1.5 million. He said he had not yet received a scheduled payment he was supposed to receive at age 30, and asked for funds to help cover legal costs and basic personal expenses while he remains in custody.

However, the trustees overseeing the fund have denied his request, citing a California law known as the "slayer statute." This law prevents someone from inheriting money or property from a person they are found to have intentionally killed.

Since Reiner is currently facing murder charges connected to his parents' deaths, the trustees argue that no funds should be released until the legal case is resolved.

Court filings state that releasing the funds now could not be undone if he is later found responsible for his parents' deaths. The trustees also noted that if the law applies, the remaining trust funds would eventually go to Reiner's two siblings instead.

Reiner's legal team has pushed back, arguing that the law requires a legal determination of guilt, not merely an accusation, and that he remains legally presumed innocent at this stage.

Reiner was formally indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in July, replacing earlier charges filed against him last year. 

He is currently being held at a correctional facility in Los Angeles and is scheduled to appear in court again next month for a pretrial hearing.