This January news outlets are talking about the Slayer Rule in light of the tragic killing of famous couple Rob and Michele Reiner. ABLE Accounts updates have also gone into effect.
Slayer Rule
In December 2025 filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Reiner were tragically killed. Their son Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first degree murder. This has brought up discussion around the “slayer rule” or “slayer statute,” policy that prevents someone from inheriting from a person whom they have intentionally and feloniously killed. The Reiners lived in California, and therefore, California Law will likely apply.
If you are curious about Arizona’s Slayer Rule, A.R.S. § 14-2803 says “A person who feloniously and intentionally kills the decedent forfeits all benefits under this chapter with respect to the decedent’s estate, including an intestate share, an elective share, an omitted spouse’s or child’s share, a homestead allowance, exempt property and a family allowance. If the decedent died intestate, the decedent’s intestate estate passes as if the killer disclaimed that person’s intestate share.” The statute goes on with more specifics.
ABLE Accounts
We’ve talked about ABLE Accounts a few times now, but that’s because it’s big news for us. ABLE accounts received an upgrade starting January 1. These accounts allow disabled Americans to save funds, in this account, without disqualifying them from means tested public benefits, like Medicaid. It used to be that you could only open these accounts if you became disabled prior to age 26. As of January 1, that age increased to 46. Now, $20,000 can be contributed to the account per year, as opposed to the $19k per year that could be contributed last year.
Other stuff
- Record-breaking estate sales keep the art market moving, but these art auctions may also be inflating the value of the pieces.
- An app called “Are You Dead?” (“Sileme” in Mandarin) is the most popular paid Apple Store download in China. The app requires you to check in your phone every day. If you miss two days, it notifies your emergency contact.
- Researchers think a finger prick blood test could offer a simpler way to detect Alzheimer’s.
- Should therapists have a professional will that says what should happen to their clients?
- Do you need a digital executor to manage your socials and crypto?
