It probably made you feel good that your loved one took steps to ensure that you were provided for after he or she passed away. You know that you are entitled to distributions from the trust of which you were made a beneficiary. The problem is that you do not think that the trustee is acting responsibly, that he or she is mismanaging the assets of the trust or is somehow otherwise not fulfilling the duties to you outlined in the trust. It may be time to consider trust litigation in a California civil court.
You may have already attempted talking to the trustee to see if a peaceful resolution was possible, but it does not seem to have any effect. Perhaps the trustee told you that he or she holds the keys to the trust, and you cannot do anything about it. The first thing you need to know is that simply is not true.
As the beneficiary of a trust, you have certain rights. If the trustee fails to acknowledge those rights, you may need help. An attorney could advise you of those rights and review your situation. If an investigation into the circumstances reveals that the trustee is acting improperly, it may be possible to rectify the situation.
A California court may order the trustee to take certain steps to ensure your rights and the assets in the trust are protected. In some cases, it may be necessary to ask the court to remove the trustee altogether. What orders the court makes during trust litigation depend on the situation and the evidence presented. To increase your chances of success, it may be a good idea to enlist the advice and aid of an experienced attorney.