Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Releasing Anuity to benefiary

I am the trustee to my grandparents trust. The last of the two just passed away. The name on their annuity was my grandfathers, not in the name of the trust. In order for the annutiy to be released to the beneficairy they have told my to get a ''letter of testamentary'' appointing me as exectutive. I went to the court, and was directed to the probate desk. They said they could not give that to me unless I had a case open with them. I thought that annuities did not have to go through probate so I am not sure what to do? How do I get a letter of testamentary without opening up a probate case with the court. I was under the impression as trustee of the trust that I could have the annuity given to the beneficiary. Are they telling me this because my grandfathers name was the owener of the account and not the trust? What do I do? If I have to open up a probate case, can I do it just for the annuity and not the other assets that are in the trust? Do I turn the trust into the probate court? And once I get the letter of testamentary can I somehow not go through with probate since that is all the annuity company is requiring? Thank you, Michelle

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