Conflicting Info About Trust Vs Will, Beneficiary Amount Changed After Death.

Location: California.

Hi all, looking for general guidance on a California estate situation.

My grandmother passed away recently in California. A few years ago, my mother told me that my grandmother’s assets were in a trust and that I would receive around $50k. After my grandmother passed, my mother is now telling me the amount is significantly lower and that “it’s in the will what you’ll get.”

This is what’s confusing me:

• My mother says the assets were in a trust, but also says the will specifies how much I receive
• She says there is no paperwork other than the will
• She plans to give me the money via cashier’s check
• I have not seen the trust document or any accounting
• No probate paperwork has been mentioned

From what I understand, if assets were in a trust, the trust document (not the will) controls distributions, and beneficiaries are usually entitled to some level of information or accounting. The amount also changed significantly from what I was previously told, without explanation.

My questions:

1. If assets were truly in a trust in California, does the will have any role in determining distributions?
2. As a beneficiary, am I entitled to see the trust or the portion naming me?
3. Is it normal for there to be “no paperwork” other than a will if a trust was used?
4. Should I wait for documentation before accepting or depositing a cashier’s check?

I’m not trying to accuse anyone of wrongdoing I just want to understand what is legally correct here before accepting funds.

Thanks in advance.