Liam Payne's nine-year-old son, Bear, has been named the sole beneficiary of the late singer's estate worth nearly $29 million, according to court documents filed in the United Kingdom.

The former One Direction star died in October 2024 at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Payne had not left a will, triggering the application of UK intestacy laws governing the distribution of his assets.

Documents show that Bear, Payne's only child, will inherit the singer's estate, valued at approximately $29 million after deductions. While a portion of the funds may be accessed before then, most of the inheritance will remain protected in a trust until he reaches the age of 18.

Cheryl and lawyer appointed estate administrators

Payne shared Bear with singer Cheryl, his former partner. In May 2025, Cheryl and music industry lawyer Richard Mark Bray were officially appointed administrators of the singer's estate, giving them responsibility for managing and preserving his assets.

Court records issued on May 1 indicated that the gross value of Payne's UK estate stood at approximately £28.6 million ($38 million), while its net value after liabilities and expenses amounted to about £24.3 million ($32 million).

According to UK probate rules, when a person dies without a valid will, their estate is generally inherited by a spouse or civil partner. If none exists, the estate typically passes to their children or closest blood relatives.

Reports from British media said Cheryl and Bray currently have limited authority over the estate and cannot distribute its assets until the legal process is completed.

Bear to inherit under UK intestacy laws

As Payne was neither married nor in a civil partnership at the time of his death, his son became the primary heir under UK inheritance laws.

The estate is expected to remain under trust arrangements until Bear reaches adulthood. Legal administrators are tasked with safeguarding the assets and ensuring they are managed in the child's best interests until that time.

Under probate regulations, individuals seeking to make claims against an estate generally have six months from the granting of probate to do so.

Payne and Cheryl's family life

Payne and Cheryl began their relationship in 2016 and welcomed their son on March 22, 2017. The couple announced Bear's birth days later through social media, sharing a photograph of Payne holding the newborn.

At the time, Payne wrote: "I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it's a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far."

He added: "I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she's really made my

Payne was in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy at the time of his death. However, the couple were not married or in a civil partnership, meaning she was not entitled to inherit under UK intestacy laws.