How the ‘slayer rule’ might play a role in determining who will inherit wealth from Rob Reiner and his wife

The fatal December 2025 stabbing deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner, have drawn national attention not only because of the tragedy itself, but also because their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The case has renewed public interest in the “slayer rule,” a long-standing legal principle that prevents anyone who intentionally and feloniously kills another person from inheriting from the victim’s estate.

All states have some version of the slayer rule, including California. In general, if a court finds that a killing was intentional and felonious, the killer is barred from receiving inheritances, life insurance proceeds, or certain jointly held assets from the victim, even if there is no criminal conviction. These rules have historically applied in high-profile family murder cases, such as the Menendez brothers and Scott Peterson, and they remain in effect regardless of parole or future release.

In the Reiner case, it is too early to know whether the slayer rule will ultimately apply. The couple’s wills and estate plans have not been made public, and the criminal investigation is ongoing. While the Reiners reportedly had a substantial estate and multiple children, no assumptions can be made about inheritance or guilt at this stage. The case underscores that slayer rules apply to estates of all sizes and are designed to ensure that no one profits from an intentional act of violence.

For more information see Naomi Cahn and Reid Kress Weisbord “How the ‘slayer rule’ might play a role in determining who will inherit wealth from Rob Reiner and his wife,” The Conversation, December 22, 2025.