Liam Payne's 9-year-old son, Bear, is the sole beneficiary of the late singer's multi-million dollar estate, according to court documents. The former One Direction star's estate is valued at $29,007,998, and Bear will inherit the entire amount.
Trust Arrangement for Minor Beneficiary
Bear will be able to access some of the money immediately, but the majority will be held in a trust until he turns 18 years old, as outlined in the filing. This arrangement ensures the funds are managed responsibly until Bear reaches adulthood.
Administration of the Estate
Payne died on October 16, 2024, at age 31, after falling from a hotel balcony. He welcomed his first and only child, Bear, with singer Cheryl. In May 2025, Cheryl was named the administrator of Payne's estate, seven months after he died without a will. Court documents issued on May 1 officially named Cheryl and attorney Richard Mark Bray as the administrators.
At the time, the documents indicated that the gross value of Payne's estate in the U.K. amounted to $38 million, with a net value of approximately $32.2 million. Estates in the U.K. are typically issued to the deceased's lawful spouse, or if they were not married, to their nearest blood relative, according to the United Kingdom government website.
Legal Context and Reporting
The BBC reports that Cheryl and Bray will manage the money but currently have limited authority and cannot distribute it. The outlet also reported that if someone in the U.K. dies without a will, their children will normally inherit the estate if there is no husband, wife, or civil partner. Payne and Cheryl welcomed their son on March 22, 2017.
