Life Insurance Payout Missing — No Probate, No Will, No Access

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some advice or next steps from anyone with experience in probate, insurance claims, or estate issues.

Location: Florida

Here’s the situation:
• Years ago, my mother had a life insurance policy through AFLAC when she was battling cancer.
• I was listed as a beneficiary on that policy, along with my sibling.
• After she passed, my sibling received their portion directly. I was told that my share would be held until I turned 25.
• I never received that payout, and now that I’m past that age, the money is completely unaccounted for.
• My grandfather (who was only related to my mom by marriage) was supposedly the person “in charge” of my funds at the time. I remember using some of the money for a car purchase, but I never had direct access to the policy or account.
• He has since passed away.
• I contacted AFLAC a few years ago and was told I was “removed” as a beneficiary. When I asked about how that happened, I was told I needed to submit something in writing to get further details.
• I also checked with the local probate court: no probate case was ever filed for my mother or my grandfather, and there was no will for either of them.
• I’m trying to figure out:
1. Can someone legally remove a beneficiary after the policyholder dies?
2. If there was no probate and no court-appointed executor, how could the life insurance payout have been legally distributed?
3. If my grandfather received or redirected the funds, is there any way to recover them now that he’s deceased?
4. Should I open probate now, even years later, just to get access to AFLAC’s claim file and pursue this properly?

I’m drafting a formal letter to AFLAC now to request all documentation related to the payout. I’m also considering filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services if they refuse to release the info.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any legal angles or experience with recovering insurance funds after mismanagement or informal handling?

Thank you in advance. I just want to figure out what happened and if I still have any legal path to reclaim what was meant for me.