Liam Payne died without a will. Here’s why his ex will manage his $32.2 million fortune, even though they weren’t married.

Liam Payne died without a will, so his ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy is tasked with co-managing his $32.2 million estate, legal documents show.

The couple were together from 2016 to 2018, during which time they had their son, named Bear.

Payne died in October 2024 after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He found fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.

Payne’s estate was valued at $38 million, which dropped to $32.2 million after debts and expenses were deducted, probate documents released on May 1 show.

When a person who isn’t married or in a civil partnership dies without a will in the UK, their estate is left to any children they may have. Because Bear, 8, is a minor, Tweedy is responsible for his inheritance until he turns 18.

Tweedy will manage the $32.2 million fortune alongside Richard Mark Bray, a music industry lawyer. Neither is allowed to distribute Payne’s money, property, or possessions because they have limited authority over them.

Representatives for Tweedy and Bray did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

As Bear’s mother, Tweedy became the administrator of the funds instead of his most recent partner, Kate Cassidy, an influencer.

Payne and Cassidy started dating in 2022. She travelled to Argentina with Payne, but left before he died.

“I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility. We had our dog, and obviously, I never, ever thought this event would occur,” Cassidy told the Sun this year.

“It was a tragic accident, and no, I never did think [he might die young]. But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have travelled separately.”

Shortly after Payne died, Tweedy wrote on Instagram asking fans to show kindness.

“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she said.

“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

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