Liam Payne’s death in October 2024 shook fans worldwide, and now the aftermath of his passing has taken a surprising turn.
It’s been confirmed that the former One Direction star died without making a will, leaving behind an estate worth over £24 million. That’s right, Payne, who was just 31 when he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, left his fortune unmanaged, triggering a complicated legal process.
Court documents now show that Liam’s total estate was valued at £28.5 million, but once debts and other costs were settled, the net amount dropped to £24,279,728. That’s still a massive fortune, and it’s now under the control of two key people, his ex-girlfriend Cheryl, and music industry lawyer Richard Bray. Cheryl, who shares an eight-year-old son, Bear, with Liam, has been named an administrator of the estate, meaning she’s legally responsible for handling all of Liam’s assets.
The couple dated from 2016 to 2018, and though they had separated years before his death, Cheryl now holds the legal duty of managing what he left behind. But just because she and Bray are managing it doesn’t mean the money’s getting handed out anytime soon. Without a will in place, the estate can’t be distributed until the court determines how to handle it, which could mean a long wait and potential complications.
Liam Payne’s death on October 16 came as a huge blow, especially since he had been open about his personal struggles in the past. Toxicology reports later confirmed that Liam had a combination of substances in his system, cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant. A postmortem concluded he died from multiple injuries along with internal and external bleeding after falling from his room’s balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
In the days following his death, his One Direction bandmates, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson, released an emotional joint statement. They said they were “completely devastated” and that they needed time to grieve before saying more. Their message reflected the heartbreak shared by fans around the world. They described Liam as their brother and promised that the memories they shared with him would be “treasured forever.”
Now, months after his passing, the legal side of things is beginning to unfold. But the fact that someone with such a massive career and financial footprint didn’t have a will in place has raised eyebrows and sparked discussion around celebrity estate planning. It’s a stark reminder that no matter how young, wealthy, or famous someone is, these things matter, and when they’re missing, they leave a trail of chaos for those left behind.
While fans continue to mourn, the legal process rolls on. Cheryl and Bray are at the center of it now, and though it’s unclear how long it will take to settle everything, the lack of a will means the road ahead won’t be smooth. As the music world remembers Liam for the talent and energy he brought to One Direction and beyond, what happens next to his fortune is a question that may take months, or even years, to answer.
