Actually, my parents lost my grandma's house because we couldn't find her will. I'm not completely sure about the details, but my parents explained to me without the will, the house would go to the bank. (Yes, I live in USA..)
Also why are you hammering your brother? I'm sure he must have heard of a similar occurrence to mine, and mentally noted it. And here you are trying to get the entire Blockland forums on your side, probably to laugh at your brother? That's not being a good brother at all.