Could Rob Reiner’s son Nick still be eligible for inheritance if convicted of parents’ murders?

Nick is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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December 17, 2025 6:43 p.m. ET

Nick Reiner; Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner. Credit:

Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/Shutterstock; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Legal experts are weighing in on the fate of Nick Reiner's inheritance, now that he has been formally charged with the murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

According to estate and trusts attorney Sean Weissbart, a partner at Blank Rome LLP who is not connected to the case, Nick is unlikely to receive a dime if found guilty of the murder of his parents.

"California has what's called a slayer statute, which says if you kill someone that you're going to inherit from, you lose your inheritance and any right to serve as a fiduciary of their estate," Weissbart told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. "So assuming he's convicted of this murder, he's out as beneficiary, along with any fiduciary appointments he may have."

On Sunday, Dec. 14, Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, were found dead in their Brentwood home in Los Angeles. Hours later, their 32-year-old son was arrested in the Exposition Park neighborhood in connection with their deaths. Nick has since been charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and is also facing a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.**

Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner in 2016.

Rommel Demano/Getty

In the wake of their tragic killings, the Hollywood couple are survived by Nick and their two children, Jake, 34 and Romy, 28. Rob was also father to daughter Tracy, 61, from his first marriage to the late Penny Marshall.

Weissbart stated that should Nick be convicted of the alleged double homicide, he will be ineligible to inherit. "Let's assume that the four children got everything in equal shares," he explained. "Nick would be disqualified, and everything would just go — probably — in three equal shares [instead]."

He added that the slayer statue may still apply even if Nick isn't convicted.

"I was looking at the statute, and it doesn't *require* an actual conviction. It requires a person who feloniously and intentionally killed the decedent," Weissbart shared. "Since the slayer statute is civil, arguably it could apply if the court determined that this person had committed this murder, even if, for some reason, the person could no longer be charged criminally — I don't think that's the case here."

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However, in an email to **, Weissbart pointed out that there is one way for Nick to still be eligible for his inheritance, even if convicted.

"The statute requires that the killer acted intentionally," Weissbart wrote. "If someone was found not guilty by reason of insanity, the slayer statute might not apply."

Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on Jan. 15, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Neilson Barnard/Getty

The attorney additionally stated that ahead of a decision from the court, Nick should be able to view a possible instrument (the legal document that lays out the estate plan).

"I don't think that just because someone is suspected of a crime that that would necessarily preclude them from seeing a will or finding out what they might have otherwise received," Weissbart explained. "It's not his obligation to bring the slayer statute. That's the obligation of other people or the court."

Thus far, Nick has not entered a plea. He made his first court appearance on Wednesday, accompanied by a team of three lawyers, where he waived his right to a speedy arraignment. He was notably wearing a suicide prevention smock, a garment given to inmates on suicide watch.

Nick will be held without bail pending an arraignment, scheduled for Jan. 7. If convicted, he faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.

In brief remarks to reporters outside the courthouse, Nick's attorney Alan Jackson said there were "very complex and serious issues associated with this case" that needed time to be examined. He urged the public and the media not to "rush to judgment" and left without taking any questions.

*If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.***

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