Rob Reiner's son Nick Reiner could lose his inheritance?
What's the story
Nick Reiner, the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, has been charged with the murders of his parents. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that he has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special allegation for using a knife. If convicted, Reiner could lose his inheritance from his parents' estate due to California's "slayer statute."
Inheritance implications
What is the 'slayer statute'?
Sean Weissbart, an estate and trusts attorney at Blank Rome LLP, explained that if Reiner is convicted of the crime, he will be disqualified from inheriting his parents' estate. Weissbart told People, "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." "So assuming he's convicted of this murder, he's out as beneficiary."
Inheritance scenario
Reiner's potential inheritance if not convicted
If Reiner isn't convicted, the slayer statute could still apply. Weissbart explained that it doesn't require an actual conviction but rather a determination that the person "feloniously and intentionally killed the decedent." "What I would say is a felony conviction would be per se, [meaning] the slayer statute would apply, but it could arguably apply even if there was not yet a felony conviction."
Legal proceedings
Reiner's legal representation and court appearance
Reiner's lawyer, Alan Jackson, confirmed that he is representing him. He told reporters outside the LA Superior Court that Reiner would not be making his first scheduled court appearance on Tuesday because he hadn't been medically cleared. The couple was found dead in their Brentwood home by their daughter, Romy, following which Reiner was arrested near the University of Southern California campus.