Rob Reiner and the Law That Stops a Killer from Inheriting
By: Barry E. Haimo, Esq.
December 18, 2025
An explanation of Slayer and killer forfeiture statutes in light of a heartbreaking tragedy
The news of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, being shot and killed in their Brentwood, California home has shocked not just the entertainment world, but the nation. According to reports, their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with this horrific incident.
As public and legal communities alike try to grapple with not only the profound human loss but also the legal implications surrounding the family’s estate, it seemed an apt time to remind everyone of a rarely discussed (but incredibly important) legal principle known as the “Slayer Statute” or killer forfeiture statute.
What Is a Slayer or Killer Forfeiture Statute?
Essentially, these laws prevent someone who unlawfully and intentionally kills a decedent from receiving any benefit from the victim’s estate. Many U.S. states, including Florida, have a law like this on the books.
Under Florida Statute § 732.802, the law states that a surviving person who unlawfully and intentionally kills or participates in causing the death of a decedent “is not entitled to any benefits under the will or under the Florida Probate Code.” Instead, the estate is treated as if the killer had predeceased the victim.
Even where a person is named in a will or designated as a beneficiary, the statute overrides those designations and redirects the assets to lawful heirs or as otherwise provided under state law. This applies not only to wills and intestate succession, but also to jointly owned property, life insurance benefits, and other contractual arrangements.
The logic behind these statutes is simple but profound: it is contrary to public policy for a killer to acquire property or financial benefit from the decedent’s death.
Civil Standards, Not Criminal Standards
Something vital to understand about these statutes is that they operate in the civil probate context – separate from the criminal system. While a criminal conviction for murder typically requires conclusive evidence, civil court requirements are less stringent.
A probate court can, in some circumstances, apply the statute even if there is no conviction. Why? Because probate law looks only for a preponderance of the evidence rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
California and Other States
As mentioned above, the concept of a Slayer Statute isn’t unique to Florida. California and many other states have similar laws that prevent someone who unlawfully kills another from inheriting from that person’s estate.
Recent coverage indicates that legal experts are already discussing how California’s version of the Slayer Statute could affect Nick Reiner’s potential inheritance from his parents’ estate, even before a criminal conviction. Under these laws, a civil finding that he unlawfully and intentionally caused their deaths could be enough to disqualify him from inheriting.
Why These Laws Matter
At its core, the Slayer Statute reinforces a principle central to estate law and civil justice: wrongdoing should not be rewarded. In tragic cases like the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, these statutes ensure that legal rights and financial interests are resolved in a manner consistent with justice and fairness.
