If there is 800k out there, the money was put in trust. Trust must say its dispersed at 22. This means there is a trustee. Clauses like this almost always come with the caveat that if the money is needed for the beneficiaries well being, the trustee can disperse funds early.
This isn't about the woman getting the kids money. If he's guilty, there is zero chance it won't be taken in civil suits. This is most likely to prevent him from using it to hire a real lawyer, which a court really can't say no to.
Is this money real? Who is the trustee? Why is the trustee not hiring a lawyer for this kid?