Detailed Answer

Short answer: In California a valid prenuptial agreement can change who owns property and what rights a surviving spouse or other heirs receive. A prenup can limit or waive spousal rights (including rights that might otherwise affect a life estate or inheritances), but it cannot be effective against third parties unless it actually controls title or is honored when assets are transferred. If an executor (personal representative) refuses to provide documents or information, beneficiaries have several paths to demand disclosure and, if necessary, compel the court to act.

How prenuptial agreements work in California

California recognizes premarital (prenuptial) agreements under the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. A valid prenup can do many things: allocate separate vs. community property, waive spousal rights, and set how property will be distributed on death. The relevant statutory framework in California is found in the Family Code (the premarital agreement sections begin at Family Code § 1610). See the statute text here: Cal. Fam. Code § 1610 et seq..

When a prenup can affect a life estate or your share

If the prenup expressly says certain property is separate and what happens to it at death, that agreement can control the ownership and distribution of that property.
If your mother created a life estate in favor of someone (for example, she transferred a house to give someone a life estate), the legal effect depends on how the transfer was made (deed, will, trust) and whether the prenup governed the underlying property rights when the transfer happened.
A prenup can waive a surviving spouse’s rights to community property or to take an elective share—if the waiver was knowing, voluntary, and complies with the statute. That can reduce or eliminate what the surviving spouse can claim from the estate, which in turn can affect what remains available to other heirs.
However, a prenup does not automatically erase title or recorded interests. If property was transferred into a life estate by deed (with the life estate recorded), the recorded instrument controls who has present rights in the property. Questions can arise if the timing of the transfer and the prenup’s terms conflict.

Key legal points to check in any dispute

Was the prenup properly executed and enforceable under California law? (California requires certain formalities and also allows a party to challenge enforcement on grounds such as fraud, duress, lack of disclosure, or unconscionability.)
Does the prenup specifically address the property or the class of property at issue (real property, life estate, community property, separate property)?
Was title to the property actually changed before death (deed conveying a life estate vs. a will or trust that takes effect at death)?
Did the decedent later revoke or change the arrangement by deed, will, or trust consistent with California law?

What rights beneficiaries have to documents and information

Beneficiaries and heirs have rights to information about the decedent’s estate administration. The personal representative (executor) has a fiduciary duty to administer the estate honestly and to keep interested persons reasonably informed. Public-facing California resources about probate and the personal representative’s duties are available from the California Courts: California Courts — Probate Self-Help. For the full text of California Probate Code provisions that govern estate administration, see the California Probate Code: Cal. Prob. Code (leginfo).

Practical steps if the executor refuses to provide a prenup or other documents

1) Request the document in writing. Send a polite but firm written request to the executor (keep a copy). Describe the document you want (the prenup, all estate planning documents, deeds, and the will) and why you believe you have a right to see them (you are an heir/beneficiary or potential heir).

2) Ask for basic estate information. Ask for a copy of the will or trust (if one exists) and any inventory or initial accounting the executor is required to prepare. California law requires the personal representative to perform certain duties and disclose enough information for beneficiaries to know the estate status (see probate code and court guidance above).

3) Use probate procedures. If the executor still refuses, you can ask the probate court to compel disclosure. Common probate remedies include:

Filing a petition in probate court to compel the personal representative to produce documents or provide an accounting;
Moving to compel discovery or issuance of subpoenas for relevant documents;
Requesting a hearing on whether the personal representative is breaching fiduciary duties; the court can order production, impose sanctions, or remove the executor if warranted.

4) Consider an attorney. If the document is critical (e.g., you believe the prenup was invalid or that the executor is hiding assets), consult an estate litigation attorney. They can draft proper court petitions, subpoenas, and, if needed, bring a claim for breach of fiduciary duty or for removal of the personal representative.

Timing and urgency

Probate matters often have strict deadlines (for example, for will contests or filing certain claims). Act promptly if you suspect the estate administration is hiding documents or misreporting assets. Even if you are unsure whether to start formal proceedings, a consultation with a probate attorney early can preserve rights and deadlines.

Common scenarios (hypothetical examples)

– If your mother signed a prenup waiving spousal rights and later conveyed her home into a recorded life estate for her spouse, heirs must look at the deed, the prenup terms, and whether the prenup was valid to know who ultimately has title at death.

– If the executor refuses to share the prenup and the will, a beneficiary can petition the probate court to compel production and seek an accounting; if the executor has concealed assets, the court can take corrective action.

Where to read the law

Family Code (premarital agreements): Cal. Fam. Code § 1610 et seq.

California Courts — probate self-help (duties of personal representatives and how to proceed): https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-probate.htm

California Probate Code (complete text): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml?lawCode=PROB

Helpful Hints

Put all requests in writing and keep copies and delivery proof.
Ask specifically for: the prenup, the decedent’s will, trust documents, deeds affecting title, and the inventory/appraisement.
Look for recorded deeds: county recorder records often show transfers (life estates) and can clarify title independent of the executor’s statements.
Document any suspicious conduct by the executor (late filings, missing assets, or refusal to communicate).
If you cannot afford an attorney, check local legal aid, law school clinics, or the county bar association for low-cost help—probate disputes often require procedural steps best handled by counsel.
Act quickly. Probate deadlines and statute-of-limitations rules can bar claims if you wait too long.

Disclaimer: This article is educational only and is not legal advice. It summarizes general California law and common procedures but cannot predict the outcome of a specific case. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed California attorney who handles probate and estate litigation.