Mediator to Decide on Trust Fund Access for Defense
A judge will review whether a $558,000 inheritance can cover legal fees for a defendant in a murder case.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Financial Planning
A mediator will determine if Nick Reiner can access $558,000 from a trust fund to pay for his criminal defense. The case, set for mid-December 2026, involves complex legal disputes regarding trust disbursement rules and potential criminal liability.
Why it matters
This case highlights how California's Slayer Statute can freeze trust assets if beneficiaries face serious criminal charges. For households, it underscores the importance of understanding how legal disputes can disrupt the intended timing and availability of family inheritance funds.
Nick Reiner is seeking access to $558,000 from a trust fund that was originally scheduled for disbursement in 2023. The total amount remains frozen while representatives for the trust challenge the request under the Slayer Statute.
The players
Nick Reiner
A 32-year-old facing murder charges who is seeking to access trust funds for his legal defense.
Nathan Hochman
The Los Angeles County District Attorney whose office is managing the criminal prosecution.
Alan Jackson
A private criminal defense attorney whom Reiner intends to rehire using the disputed trust funds.
The details
Trustees are invoking California's Slayer Statute, which generally prohibits individuals convicted of killing a relative from profiting from that person's estate or associated trusts. Reiner, currently represented by a public defender, seeks these funds to rehire private attorney Alan Jackson for his defense. Any agreement reached during the mediation process scheduled for mid-December must still be finalized and approved by a judge in March 2027.
Timeline
September 2023 marked the original date the trust disbursement was scheduled for Reiner.
December 2025 was when the killings occurred in Brentwood.
Mid-December 2026 is when the global mediation process is scheduled to begin.
March 2027 is the date set for a court hearing to decide on settlement approval.
Money Landscape
This dispute sits at the intersection of estate law and criminal proceedings, where state regulations can override standard trust distribution schedules. It follows the established pattern of California's Slayer Statute, which dictates how inheritance rights are handled when beneficiaries face accusations of harming grantors.
This case illustrates that beneficiaries facing significant legal risks may find their access to expected trust disbursements halted indefinitely by state law. If you are a beneficiary or trustee, discuss with a qualified legal professional how state-specific statutes might impact the liquidity and distribution timelines of family trusts.
The takeaway
Legal statutes can freeze family trust disbursements regardless of original payment schedules when criminal charges are involved. Individuals should ensure they understand the specific conditions and potential legal triggers that could impact the accessibility of their own trust assets.
What happens next
Global mediation for the trust fund access is scheduled to begin in mid-December 2026, followed by a court hearing to approve any resulting settlement in March 2027.
Further reading
For more on managing family wealth and inheritance structures, visit Financial Planning.
