If you’re a California resident navigating mental health challenges within your family—or concerned about how the legal system handles psychiatric care for loved ones—the case of Nick Reiner offers critical insights into LPS conservatorships and their limitations.
What Happened: The Nick Reiner Case
Nick Reiner, son of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Reiner, was placed in a confidential mental health conservatorship in 2020 under California’s Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. Five years later, in December 2022, Nick was charged with murdering both of his parents.
According to The New York Times, Steven Baer, a licensed fiduciary, served as Nick’s conservator during a yearlong conservatorship that ended in 2021. The conservatorship remained confidential by law.
Understanding LPS Conservatorships in California
What is an LPS conservatorship?
An LPS conservatorship is a court-ordered legal arrangement for individuals who cannot care for themselves due to severe mental illness. Unlike the high-profile public conservatorships involving celebrities like Britney Spears, LPS conservatorships are:
Who qualifies for an LPS conservatorship?
In Nick’s case, he had been diagnosed with both schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder—a condition combining psychotic symptoms with mood disorders like depression or mania. He also had a history of drug addiction since his teenage years.
Police records show LAPD responded to welfare checks at the Reiner home twice in 2019, including one specifically listed as a “mental” call.
Critical Questions This Case Raises for California Families
Why wasn’t Nick’s conservatorship renewed after one year?
The New York Times reported it wasn’t clear why Nick’s conservatorship ended after the initial year and wasn’t renewed. This raises important questions for families:
What happens when psychiatric medication changes?
One source told The New York Times that Nick had been placed on psychiatric medication that appeared to be working, but side effects led him to switch medications about a month before his parents were killed.
This highlights a common challenge families face: balancing medication effectiveness with side effects, and understanding what oversight exists when medications change.
How do families navigate mental health care for adult children?
In a 2015 interview, Rob Reiner described the difficulty of helping his son: “When Nick would tell us that it wasn’t working for him, we wouldn’t listen. We were desperate, and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son”.
This candid admission reflects what many California families experience when trying to balance professional medical advice with their loved one’s own feedback.
The Legal Complexity: Nick’s Criminal Case
Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2022. Nick was arrested hours later and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with prosecutors identifying the alleged murder weapon as a knife.
At his first court appearance, Nick wore a suicide-prevention gown, and his attorney Alan Jackson stated there were “very, very complex and serious issues” associated with the case. Jackson later stepped down, citing “circumstances beyond our control,” and Nick is now represented by public defender Kimberly Greene.
What California Families Need to Know About Mental Health Conservatorships
Key protections under LPS conservatorships:
Important limitations families should understand:
How California Probate and Trust Can Help
If your family is facing mental health challenges that require legal intervention, or if you’re concerned about protecting a loved one who struggles with severe mental illness, California Probate and Trust offers compassionate, experienced guidance for California residents.
Our Sacramento-based attorneys understand the intersection of:
We provide clear, transparent consultation to help you understand your options and create a comprehensive plan that protects your family—both now and for generations to come.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Don’t wait until a crisis forces difficult decisions. Contact California Probate and Trust today for a free consultation to discuss how to protect your loved ones through proper estate planning and mental health legal strategies.
Call (866)-674-1130 or visit cpt.law to schedule your appointment.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented is based on publicly reported facts about the Nick Reiner case as reported by Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Every family’s situation is unique, and LPS conservatorship laws and procedures are complex and subject to change. For specific legal guidance regarding mental health conservatorships, estate planning, or related matters, please consult with a qualified California attorney. California Probate and Trust, PC serves clients throughout California and offers free consultations to discuss your individual circumstances. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article.