After the heartbreaking loss of Liam Payne last year, the focus has now shifted to protecting the future of his only son, Bear.
The former One Direction star, who tragically passed away in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, left behind a sizeable fortune—but no will.
Now, Bear’s mother, Cheryl Tweedy, is stepping up to ensure that her son’s inheritance is handled carefully and won’t be accessed until he’s mature enough to manage it.
Liam Died Without a Will, Leaving £24 Million Behind
Liam Payne passed away at just 31 years old and, according to court records, he hadn’t made a will.
This means his estate—initially worth £28.5 million before debts and expenses—was declared intestate, a legal term for when someone dies without formally outlining who gets what.
After everything was accounted for, Liam’s remaining estate stood at a whopping £24.28 million.
Because he wasn’t married at the time of his death, and he had a child, the rules of intestacy state that Bear, his 8-year-old son, is the primary heir.
Cheryl Takes Legal Control of Liam’s Estate
Documents show that Cheryl, who shares son Bear with Liam, was named the administrator of the estate.
Essentially, that gives her the legal authority to manage the money and decide how and when it will be distributed—until Bear comes of age.
Insiders close to Cheryl say she’s already consulted with estate trustees and has made a clear decision: Bear won’t receive access to his father’s millions until he’s at least 25—or even older.
Why Cheryl Wants to Delay Bear’s Access to the Money
According to sources, Cheryl isn’t trying to withhold the money out of control
Quite the opposite—she wants to protect Bear.
Her belief is that Bear should have the chance to grow up, form his own ambitions, and gain life experience before receiving such a large sum.
“She feels it’s important that Bear can make informed decisions about the money when he’s older,” the source said.
“She wants to ensure he isn’t influenced by people who may only come into his life because of his wealth.”
Bear’s Inheritance Might Shrink Due to Inheritance Tax
Despite the large estate, inheritance taxes are expected to eat away a significant portion of Liam’s legacy—potentially halving it.
Legal experts say Bear might end up with around £12 million when all is said and done.
Still, Cheryl reportedly believes that’s more than enough to secure Bear’s future and wants to make sure it’s invested wisely until the time is right.
“Cheryl wants to do everything she can to protect Bear,” one insider added.
Liam Had Quietly Planned for Bear’s Financial Future
Although Liam didn’t leave a formal will, he had taken some thoughtful steps over the years to make sure Bear would always be provided for.
Sources revealed that the singer had invested heavily in property and other assets during his career.
One friend shared, “Liam adored Bear. He had good people around him for a while, and he made careful decisions to ensure Bear would never want for anything—even if they were living thousands of miles apart.”
Cheryl’s Heartfelt Tribute After Liam’s Passing
After news of Liam’s death broke, Cheryl posted a deeply emotional message on Instagram.
She opened up about the crushing grief she was experiencing, writing:
“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time… we have lost a human being.
Liam was a son, a brother, a friend, and a father to our son.”
Her words captured the deep sorrow of losing not just a public figure, but someone she shared her life and child with.
What About Liam’s Girlfriend Kate Cassidy?
Interestingly, court filings and estate records show that Liam’s girlfriend at the time of his death, Kate Cassidy, could end up receiving nothing.
Although she had previously shared their plans to marry, without a will or legal marriage, she’s not entitled to any of his estate under intestacy laws.
A Legacy That Will Still Make a Difference
Despite the lack of a formal will, Liam’s legacy continues to impact others.
More than £31,000 was raised for Great Ormond Street Hospital through donations made at his funeral, with another £1,800 added by fans online.
That money is now helping to fund a new children’s cancer unit in London—a fitting tribute to someone who wanted to help children, including his own.
Inside Liam’s Property Investments and Final Days
Over the years, Liam bought homes for his family, including a £357,000 house in the West Midlands for his parents and a £3.2 million mansion in Buckinghamshire to be closer to Bear.
Shortly before his passing, he had relocated to a rented mansion in Florida with Kate Cassidy, which reportedly cost $9,500 per month.
The Florida estate sat on six acres, complete with a stable, annex, and swimming pool.
That property was quietly removed from listing sites shortly after Liam’s death.
What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will?
In the UK, dying without a will means that assets are divided according to strict legal rules.
If someone isn’t married but has children, their entire estate goes to those children.
Stepchildren and partners who aren’t legally married or in a civil partnership don’t receive anything unless explicitly named in a will.
Probate, the legal process that follows a death, determines who gets what.
In Liam’s case, Cheryl was approved to manage the estate as administrator since Bear is still a child.
A Small Consolation in a Heartbreaking Story
While Bear now faces growing up without his dad, one thing is clear—Liam took steps to ensure his son would always be taken care of.
Cheryl’s decision to delay the inheritance might not be traditional, but it comes from a place of deep love and protection.
As one friend of Liam’s put it: “It’s a small consolation, but Bear will never want for anything.
That was Liam’s wish all along.”