I always wonder about that too. You never actually hear that Jarvis "lives beyond his means" the way Tony does. Or that he's going broke for any other reason.

He tells Tony that it's because he can't stand to see him squander his half of the money on Cathy, but I've never thought that a dramatic reason like that was the main one for him. As far as his main one, I always think he just considered Tony too much of a "weak link" when it comes to the fake kidnapping. After all, Jarvis is always calling him an incredibly weak person to other people, and right to his face.
And even Gloria, who's crazy about him, calls him "not very strong."
So I can always imagine Jarvis being worried about that.

It's sort of implied that Jarvis needs the funds, as Columbo fawns over his orchid collection, examining one in particular - a moth orchid - which is worth over $1200, according to Jarvis. With a room full of expensive orchids, and a heartless uncle who plainly expresses his disdain for his nephew, it wouldn't be a stretch to figure out greed/money as the motive behind the murder.

Yes, although I still think it's both reasons. Jarvis could definitely see Tony as a real danger when it comes to keeping the secret.

Yes, I see your point there, Grant. Tony probably would have folded like a two-dollar tent upon questioning; perhaps even questioning by Det. "Freddie" Wilson, thus spoiling the entire scam for poor old Jarvis. Realizing his scam for $300000 would go up in dust if Tony lives, Jarvis does the logical thing - he kills him.

I always thought that this episode had one of the weaker motives for murder. Tony may have been the "weak link" in the crime, but if there was no murder, there wouldn't have been much of a crime. Tony and Jarvis would only have been guilty only of breaking the trust before they were supposed to. As executor, I think Jarvis may have had the right to do that legally. Assuming he didn't, it's still not much of a crime to worry about.

Jarvis would have had half of the trust (about $1 million U.S.) if he didn't kill Tony. After killing Tony (and destroying a valuable automobile), Jarvis had twice that amount, but it was in cash! How can he spend it with police watching him?

It's a great episode, but the motive seems to have been an afterthought.