Nick Reiner Clashes With Trustee Over Trust Fund Cash For Criminal Defense

Key Points:

• Nick Reiner, charged with the 2025 killing of his parents, is fighting to access over $550,000 from a trust fund established by his late parents, which he argues is essential to mount a proper legal defense.
• The trustee, Jodi Montgomery, contends Reiner declined the distribution at age 30 in 2023 and that under the trust’s terms and California law, he is not entitled to any funds until age 35, with possible forfeiture under the Slayer Statute depending on the criminal case outcome.
• Reiner’s legal team disputes the trustee’s claims, stating he was never informed about the available funds or asked for consent to leave the money in the trust, and accuses the trustees of using trust funds to litigate against him while denying him access to basic necessities.
• The trustee previously paid legal fees to Reiner’s former defense firm, which withdrew due to funding issues, and that firm has expressed willingness to resume representation if trust funds become available.
• A civil court hearing on the trust dispute is scheduled, but no immediate decision is expected; meanwhile, Reiner’s criminal case is ongoing with a hearing set for September 15 and no trial date yet.