Probate documents have revealed that former One Direction star Liam Payne left behind an estate worth over £24m and died without executing a will, meaning his fortune will pass via the rules of intestacy. The 31-year-old tragically died in Buenos Aires last year after falling from a hotel balcony. 

Under UK intestacy rules, where the deceased has children but no spouse, as Liam did, the children inherit their parents’ estates. Liam’s nine-year-old son, Bear, whom he co-parented with former partner Cheryl Cole, is therefore expected to inherit the entire estate. With no executors appointed under a will, Cheryl and music industry lawyer Richard Bray have been appointed as administrators of the estate. Cheryl and Richard currently hold only limited authority, allowing them to preserve but not distribute the assets until a full grant is issued. Probate documents show that the estate has a gross value of £28.6m, and a net value of £24.3m after debts and expenses. As a minor, it is likely that a trust will need to be established and trustees appointed to hold funds on Bear’s behalf, at least until he reaches 18 (and given the value of the fund it may well need to be held on trust beyond this age). 

The tragedy of Liam Payne highlights the importance of making a will – whilst Liam would almost certainly have wished for his son to benefit from his estate, the uncertainty around how these funds will be held, by who and for how long (and whether this will lead to any disputes amongst Liam’s wider family) leaves his personal representatives facing a potentially challenging administration ahead.