For California Residents Managing Family Estates and Protecting Their Legacy
If you’re a California resident concerned about protecting your family’s assets and ensuring your estate plan works as intended—even in the most tragic circumstances—understanding slayer statutes and simultaneous death provisions is essential. The recent deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner raise critical questions that many California families face when planning their estates.
Source: Wealth Management – Rob Reiner, Slayer Statutes and Simultaneous Death
## What Happened: The Rob Reiner Case
Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found deceased in their Brentwood home. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested as the primary suspect. This tragic situation brings two critical estate planning concepts into sharp focus for California families:
## How Can California’s Slayer Statute Protect My Family’s Estate?
California Probate Code §250, commonly known as the “slayer statute,” ensures that someone who intentionally and feloniously kills another person cannot benefit from that crime. This law became widely known during the Menendez brothers case in 1989.
What the slayer statute prevents:
The law treats the killer as if they died before the victim, effectively cutting them out of the inheritance.
## What Are the Exceptions to California’s Slayer Statute?
Not every death triggers the slayer statute. Important exceptions include:
## Do I Need a Criminal Conviction for the Slayer Statute to Apply?
Here’s what many California residents don’t realize: estate distribution happens in civil probate court, not criminal court. This means:
This distinction is crucial for families navigating complex estate situations where criminal proceedings may be ongoing or inconclusive.
## What Happens When Spouses Die Simultaneously in California?
California follows the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act (USDA), which addresses what happens when both spouses die at the same time or when the order of death cannot be determined.
The 120-hour rule:
If there’s no clear evidence that one spouse survived the other by at least 120 hours (five days), California law presumes each spouse predeceased the other. This means:
## Why This Matters for California Community Property
California is one of nine community property states. When married couples own assets together, proper estate planning becomes even more critical. The simultaneous death provisions ensure that:
## What Should California Families Do to Protect Their Estates?
The Reiner case demonstrates why comprehensive estate planning is essential for every California family. Here’s what you should consider:
1. Create or update your revocable trust
Most California families benefit from revocable trusts rather than simple wills. Trusts provide:
2. Address contingent beneficiaries
Your estate plan should account for what happens if primary beneficiaries predecease you or are disqualified under slayer statutes.
3. Review beneficiary designations
Life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and transfer-on-death accounts need regular review to ensure they align with your overall estate plan.
4. Consider family dynamics
Estate planning isn’t just about documents—it’s about understanding your family’s unique challenges and protecting against worst-case scenarios.
## How California Probate and Trust, PC Can Help Protect Your Family
At California Probate and Trust, PC, we understand that estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially when considering tragic scenarios like the Reiner case. Our certified estate planning specialists offer:
We’ve helped thousands of California families from our offices in Fair Oaks, Sacramento, and San Francisco create estate plans that protect their legacies across generations.
## Schedule Your Free Estate Planning Consultation
Don’t wait for a crisis to address your estate planning needs. Whether you’re concerned about family dynamics, protecting your assets, or ensuring your wishes are honored, California Probate and Trust, PC provides the expertise and compassion you need.
Contact us today:
## Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented is based on California law as of January 2026 and may change. Every estate planning situation is unique, and the application of slayer statutes and simultaneous death provisions depends on specific facts and circumstances. The Reiner case details referenced are based on early reports and may be subject to change as investigations proceed. For personalized legal guidance regarding your estate planning needs, please consult with a qualified California estate planning attorney. California Probate and Trust, PC offers free consultations to discuss your specific situation. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article.