Nick Renner is one step closer to getting access to a portion of his $1.7 million trust fund to rehire lead defense attorney Alan Jackson as he fights charges that he fatally stabbed his parents, Rob and Michelle Renner. At a court hearing on Friday, his lawyer announced that the dispute over the money would go into private settlement talks.
Nick’s trust attorney, Anita P. Wu, told Judge Ruben Garcia in the City of Los Angeles, “We are pleased to report that at your Honor’s direction, we met and discussed mediation and settlement, and all parties have now scheduled a global arbitration.” Wu said the mediation would involve retired judge Michelle L. A hearing has been set for Dec. 16 before Beckloff, who previously oversaw Michael Jackson’s estate. Any agreement would require Garcia’s approval.
At the hearing, attorneys for trustee Jody Montgomery, who is withholding the funds, also asked the judge to authorize payment into Renner’s jail commissary account. Montgomery had previously declined to release the money as part of his broader concerns about California’s slayer statute, which prevents any person who “feloniously and intentionally kills” another person from inheriting property or receiving benefits from the victim’s will or trust.
Montgomery’s attorney, Laurian Wright, told the judge, “We think the amount is so small and nominal that we would prefer to see it completed today.” He said no more than $300 can be placed in Renner’s commissary account at a time.
Wright said, “Certainly, there are pending Slayer statute issues that need to be decided in some way, but this is minimal, and I think it will be really important for Nick Renner’s quality of life during his incarceration.”
Judge Garcia said he would consider the request and could issue a ruling by the end of the day, though he suggested the issue might also need to be resolved through mediation.
After the hearing, Wright said he was hopeful that upcoming negotiations would lead to an agreement. Renner has fought for months for access to half of his $1.7 million trust fund, arguing that his parents left “explicit instructions” that half of the money would become his property when he turns 30 on Sept. 14, 2023. The remaining amount was to be distributed when he turns 35.
In court filings, Montgomery has argued that Renner never collected his initial distribution, and left the money in a trust. He says he has a fiduciary duty to hold the funds until the legal questions are resolved. They argue that if California’s Slayer Law applies, the money should be preserved for Renner’s siblings, who are next in line to inherit it. Neither brother or sister has asked for money. Rainer, 32, argues that the law does not apply to money he was already entitled to receive when he was 30.
“We are all smart, experienced lawyers, and when you have smart, experienced lawyers with rational clients, you can accomplish a lot in arbitration. So I’m optimistic,” Wright told. rolling stone upon hearing.
Reiner was previously represented by former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson, who before becoming a prominent defense attorney helped prosecute music producer Phil Spector, whose clients include Harvey Weinstein and Karen Reed. According to a declaration submitted by Jackson with Renner’s probate petition in June, a representative of the Renner family contacted them on December 15, 2025, a day after the alleged murders, and said Renner urgently needed an attorney. Jackson said Renner’s older siblings “participated in communications related to representation and verbally agreed to act as third-party payees for Mr. Renner’s defense.” The siblings later backed out of the agreement, forcing the lawyer to step down. The move landed Renner in trouble for his legal tab, leading to his petition for court intervention.
Renner has pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents inside their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025. Their sister, Romy, discovered their bodies and later testified before a grand jury, as did their older brother, Jake, according to court records.
The grand jury indicted Renner on two counts of first-degree murder as well as the special circumstance allegation that he committed the murders by lying in wait. He is also accused of personally using the knife as a deadly weapon. Prosecutors recently said they would not seek the death penalty.
Police arrested Renner hours after he was found dead in the primary bedroom of his parents’ Los Angeles home. The county medical examiner determined that both died from multiple sharp-force injuries. Rob Reiner rose to fame with the groundbreaking sitcom all in the Family Before directing beloved films like this is spinal tap, stand with me, And the Princess Bride. Photographer and philanthropist Michelle Renner met her husband on the set of his classic romantic comedy when harry met sally.
Following the murders, Renner’s history of mental illness and substance abuse came under scrutiny. Sources confirmed this rolling stone That he was treated for schizophrenia before his parents died. a source later told the new York Times He was also diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition that includes symptoms of psychosis as well as mood disturbances such as depression or mania.
Renner is currently represented by a public defender who attended the hearing on Friday. The next hearing in the criminal case is scheduled for January 13, 2027.