Hi Barbara,
I don't know how this works either.

Is it possible that he made the beneficiary someone who passed just before him? Or maybe someone who passed right after him.
That would create a lot of paper work by the relatives.

It's not really possible that he made no one a beneficiary. That is not logical because it is easy to make someone a benficiary -- much easier than doing a will.

Here's the thing. You already consulted the lawyer.
You might not ever be able to figure this out.
Some families have a lot of ugliness that they carry around from the past. It is best to stay clear of trying to get into their head too much.

Focus on evolving. Focus on being the new you.
Those people are not in your emotional life anymore.

M.