My brother passed away a few months ago in California. He had not made a will before his passing. Rick was 60 years old and I am his only brother. Our parents passed away long ago so other than myself he had no other relatives i.e. wife or children. My question is about a life insurrance policy he had but again that he did not name a beneficiary. Since there is no named beneficiary, does the life insurance company get to keep the benefits? Or do the benefits go to the state? Or are the benefits paid to the surviving family members?

Thanks for any guidance or questions you can share with me.
Melmax

If he did not name a benificiary then the benefits go to his estate. They his estate will be used to cover any outstanding debts first before anything else.