Nick Reiner has accused his siblings of breaking a promise to fund his legal defense, costing him the celebrity attorney who insists the accused killer “is not guilty of murder.”
Hollywood was stunned in December 2025 when filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home. The shocking case took an even darker turn when authorities charged the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, with two counts of first-degree murder.
Six months later, the 32-year-old remains behind bars awaiting trial. But while prosecutors prepare their case, Nick has launched a separate legal fight that now pits him against his own brother and sister, claiming they backed out of a promise to help fund his defense.
Nick wants cash
According to People, the dispute surfaced in a probate petition tied to Nick’s effort to gain access to a trust fund established by his parents before their deaths. The filing reportedly says the trust is worth more than $1.5 million, and Nick argues that at least $750,000 should have already been distributed to him.
While awaiting trial, Nick says he needs access “so that he can buy basic support items while incarcerated (e.g., socks and personal hygiene items like soap) within the low spending limits imposed by the jail.”
His legal team argues that denying those requests is unreasonable given his circumstances.
“The stakes for Nick could not be higher,” the petition states, arguing that he has been unable to pay for “basic necessities while incarcerated” or secure the legal representation he wants.
Battle over defense
Nick is also seeking access to the money so he can rehire celebrity defense attorney Alan Jackson, who earlier insisted: “pursuant to the laws of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”
According to the filing, Jackson – whose past clients included Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey – agreed to represent Nick shortly after his arrest following discussions that included his older brother, Jake Reiner, 35, and younger sister, Romy Reiner, 28.
The attorney says the siblings took part in conversations about funding the defense and verbally agreed to act as third-party payors, leading him to believe the financial arrangements had already been settled.
“Mr. Reiner’s siblings participated in communications concerning the representation and agreed verbally to act as third-party payors for Mr. Reiner’s defense,” Jackson wrote in a declaration attached to the petition obtained by People. “The family representative and family members assured me that the retainer agreement would be promptly returned and that the agreed-upon funds would be promptly paid.”
Jackson said those assurances played a significant role in his decision to take the case.
“My decision to proceed was based on my understanding that Mr. Reiner had retained my firm and that the agreed-upon fee would be funded by third-party payors,” he wrote.
Funding never arrived
According to Jackson, the arrangement soon fell apart.
The attorney claims his firm was “forced to withdraw” after learning that the funding “would not be provided.”
“That position was inconsistent with the prior assurances on which my firm had relied,” Jackson explained, per People. “Without an available source of funding, continued private representation by my firm was no longer feasible. My firm thereafter sought to withdraw in accordance with applicable court procedures and professional obligations.”
The same allegation appears elsewhere in the petition.
In a May 11 email that was included in the filing, attorney Anita P. Wu wrote that Jackson’s fees “were negotiated and agreed to by Nick’s siblings on his behalf before they reversed that commitment.”
Neither Jake nor Romy has publicly responded to the allegation.
Committed to representing Nick
Jackson ultimately withdrew from the case, leaving Nick represented by Los Angeles County public defender Kimberly Greene.
However, the filing suggests the door remains open for a reunion. According to AP, Jackson said his “firm stands ready, willing, and able to resume representation of Mr. Reiner” if the funds become available.
What do you think of Nick Reimer making demands from his siblings after he allegedly murdered their parents? Please let us know your thoughts and share this story with others so we can hear from them!
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