Retirement payout

My Mom passed away January and she had a retirement plan with old mutual,we submitted the claim January and we were told it will be processed within three months. we still waiting for that claim even now, i called again yesterday and we were told its handed over to trustees its another process that will take another six months, we elected my brother as one responsible for my moms assets (executor) we even went to the magistrate court , i honestly do not understand why its a process. secondly we were told the retirement will be available within three months when we submitted the claim now we facing financial constraints we currently in varsity and we cant pay for our fees,we struggling to pay rent ,transport and to pay rates for my moms house in Eastern Cape. i feel like its a bit unfair to wait for such period and to float in debts while my mom had retirement investment with old mutual, we struggling with rent,transport ,rates and to pay university fees. i feel like there is got to be exceptions in cases like these ,six months and we still waiting stressing and floating in debts.