Liam Payne Died Without a Will, and His 9-Year-Old Son Bear Is Now the Sole Heir to His $29 Million Estate

Bear Payne will inherit $29,007,998 from his father’s estate, most of it held in trust until he turns 18, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Liam Payne died on October 16, 2024 at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. He left no will, so his only child became the sole beneficiary by default.

Payne’s ex-partner Cheryl, 42, and lawyer Richard Mark Bray were named executors of the estate in May. The BBC reports that the two can manage money but currently have limited authority and cannot distribute it.

Payne and Cheryl welcomed Bear on March 22, 2017, and he announced his birthday later with a Polaroid of Payne holding his newborn son. “A moment I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favorite memory to date,” he wrote at the time.

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