Nick Reiner Claims Siblings ‘Backed Out’ of Funding His $1.5M Legal Defense Amid Parents’ Murder Case

Nick Reiner, 32, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner in December 2025, alleges that his siblings reversed a prior agreement to fund his legal defense — leaving him scrambling to access a $1.5 million trust fund.

The middle child of filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, Nick filed a probate petition on June 8 against his older brother Jake Reiner and younger sister Romy Reiner, claiming they had initially agreed to pay for high-profile attorney Alan Jackson but later reneged. Nick seeks to use the trust fund to rehire Jackson instead of relying on L.A. County public defender Kimberly Greene.

Jackson, known for representing clients such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, “was forced to withdraw” after learning that expected funding from Nick’s siblings “would not be provided,” according to the filing.

The petition details that Jackson had agreed to represent Nick under a retainer arrangement, with the siblings acting as third-party payors. In his supporting declaration, Jackson wrote:

“Mr. Reiner’s siblings participated in communications regarding the representation and verbally agreed to act as third-party payors for Mr. Reiner’s defense. The family assured me that the retainer agreement would be returned promptly and the funds would be paid.”

However, in late December 2025, Jackson was informed by a “family representative” that no third-party funding would be forthcoming. Jackson said:

“That position was inconsistent with prior assurances. Without available funding, continued private representation was no longer feasible. We sought to withdraw according to court procedures.”

Nick’s attorney, Anita P. Wu, confirmed via email to the trust fund trustee that the siblings had “negotiated and agreed to pay Jackson’s fees on Nick’s behalf before reversing that commitment.”

Jackson added that he remains committed to representing Nick and is open to considering alternative fee arrangements.

Neither the petition nor exhibits clarify whether the funds would come from Nick’s personal trust, other family trusts, or a different source. Any disbursement would require trustee approval, and it is not publicly known if Jake or Romy Reiner serve as trustees.

Nick faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths, with trial proceedings ongoing.

Source: https://people.com/nick-reiner-claims-his-siblings-reversed-their-commitment-to-fund-his-legal-defense-11995526