Lessons from the Reiner Case
Nick Reiner, faces two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances for the December 2025 murder of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody.
Apparently Nick was the beneficiary of a “gifting” trust created by his parents during their lifetimes. Although California’s Slayer Statutes would prevent Nick gaining access to inherited property after his parents deaths, a separate legal battle has unfolded over his access to money his parents left in the gifting trust—the legal argument being Nick was already legally entitled to this trust before his parents’ deaths. The trustee overseeing Nick’s trust has opposed Nick’s access to the approximately $1.5 million trust fund he wants to use to finance his defense. The trustee is using California’s Slayer Statutes which prevents anyone who “feloniously and intentionally kills the decedent” from inheriting “any property, interest, or benefit under a will of the decedent, or a trust created by or for the benefit of the decedent.” Does this include the previously created gifting trust?
What Is a Slayer Statute?
A Slayer Statute prevents a person who intentionally and unlawfully causes another’s death from benefiting financially from that death. These laws exist to ensure that no one profits from their own wrongdoing.
Every state recognizes this concept although the statutes vary from state to state.
What would Texas do?
Texas has one statute that deals with slayers and it is dismal. It specifically states that
“If a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or contract is convicted and sentenced as a principal or accomplice in willfully bringing about the death of the insured, the proceeds of the life insurance policy or contract shall be paid in the manner provided by the Insurance Code.”
Under this statute a killer may not receive his or her share of the life insurance proceeds, but nothing in the statute prevents a killer from inheriting under a Will, trust or through intestacy. Fortunately, several Texas courts have stepped in and applied “equitable” remedies—such as imposing a constructive trust on the assets so that the killer cannot receive the proceeds. However, there are several cases where equity was impossible to apply, for example, in one Texas case a killer pled insanity and was not “convicted” and was able to receive his inheritance.
The Texas approach means:
- The rule often requires a criminal conviction in order for a Court to take any action
- To have the Court apply these equitable principles requires additional legal action by the other beneficiaries which costs additional money and significant time
- Estate administration is much slower and more complex for surviving family members
In our opinion the Texas courts would have to allow access to the trust that was created before the alleged killing and, most likely, would allow Nick access to his share of his parents’ estate UNTIL he was convicted. If he were to claim mental illness and plead an insanity defense he would receive his entire inheritance.
The Planning Takeaway
No estate plan is created expecting the worst—but good planning prepares for it.
For families with concerns about family members and children with mental issues, drug dependency, anger management problems or friends of family members or children with these issues it is critical that your estate plans not rely solely on state default laws. Well-drafted documents can clearly disinherit a wrongdoer, define what happens next, and reduce the burden on loved ones during an already difficult time.
Thoughtful estate planning ensures your wishes are honored, protects innocent beneficiaries and avoids uncertainty when it matters most.
If you have questions about how your estate plan would work or concerns about someone you love, now is the right time to review your planning. Call our office to schedule your complimentary appointment at 512-263-5400 or email info@tcslawgroup.com. Your attorneys at Thrash, Carroll & Sanchez Law Group are ready to help.