>If he left no will, I'd like to take whatever he had in his estate and donate it to the organization he volunteered at.

condolences on you brother but that's not how it works. even if there is a will, debts get paid before inheritances. without a will, debts are paid first then assets are distributed among relatives as the law dictates. you could donate your share of an inheritance to an organization, but you'd have zero authority to do so with all the remaining assets .