{
  "id": 1570972,
  "title": "Nick Reiner wants to access trust fund to pay for legal defense",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nick-reiner-wants-to-access-trust-fund-to-pay-for-legal-defense",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T18:45:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/nick-reiner-trust-fund-defense"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Los Angeles court hearing reveals Nick Reiner's pursuit of $1.5 million trust fund for legal defense\n\nNick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, is seeking to access money from a $1.5 million-plus trust fund established by his parents. The funds, which Rob and Michele set up, have been a topic of discussion during a court hearing in Los Angeles.\n\nRob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their home in December, leading to Nick's arrest and subsequent charges. His legal team has been trying to access the trust fund for months, but it appears they have not made significant progress.\n\nNick's attorneys, led by public defender Anita Wu, argue that time is running out for his defense preparation and emphasized the urgency of the matter. According to Variety, Judge Ruben Garcia has set a hearing on the issue for October 23.\n\nThe trust fund issue dates back several years. According to Deadline, Nick was eligible for his $558,000 share when he turned 30 in 2023, but he chose not to claim it, leaving it as property of the trust. He claims he was never offered the money, stating, \"to the best of my recollection.\" His legal team and advocates maintain that he needs the funds to secure a top-tier legal defense, which they deem crucial following new charges brought against him last week.\n\nA new charge of lying-in-wait to commit the murders was filed against Nick Reiner on Wednesday. A hearing related to the criminal case is scheduled for September 15.",
  "summary": "At a hearing in Los Angeles this morning, Reiner's public defender pressed for access to the funds.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TheWrap",
        "title": "Nick Reiner Files New Petition for Access to Family Trust Fund Ahead of Murder Trial for Parents’ Deaths",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nick-reiner-files-new-petition-for-access-to-family-trust-fund-ahead",
        "published": "2026-08-17T03:40:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Nick Reiner Wants His Trust Fund For Top Notch Defense Lawyers; Britney Spears’ Ex-Trustee Says No As Major Hearing Is Set For Monday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nick-reiner-wants-his-trust-fund-for-top-notch-defense-lawyers",
        "published": "2026-08-17T13:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Nick Reiner Trust Hearing Postponed to October as Lawyers Push for Speedy Access to Funds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nick-reiner-trust-hearing-postponed-to-october-as-lawyers-push-for",
        "published": "2026-08-17T17:07:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "No decision yet on Nick Reiner's trust fund access",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/no-decision-yet-on-nick-reiners-trust-fund-access",
        "published": "2026-08-17T18:37:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Nick Reiner Frustrated By Lack of Access to $1.5 Million Trust as Star Lawyer Sits on Sidelines",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nick-reiner-frustrated-by-lack-of-access-to-1-5-million-trust-as-star",
        "published": "2026-08-17T20:43:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}