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The estate of the late One Direction star Liam Payne is officially under the guidance of two people who knew him well. According to court documents obtained by People, Cheryl Cole, the singer and former partner of Payne and mother to his 8-year-old son Bear Payne, has been appointed as co-administrator of his estate. Joining her is Richard Mark Bray, a music industry lawyer. After accounting for debts and expenses, the duo was granted limited authority over the estate, which totals approximately $32.2 million.
But there's a catch: until a general grant is issued, Cheryl and Bray can't distribute any of those millions. For now, it's all about managing the estate, not moving money.
© Dave Benett/Getty Images for UniA Tragic Ending
Payne, who was just 31, died in October 2024 after falling from a third-story hotel balcony in Argentina. His death was ruled accidental, caused by multiple traumatic injuries and both internal and external bleeding. A toxicology report revealed the presence of drugs in his system, triggering an ongoing investigation by authorities.
At the time, Payne was dating social media model Kate Cassidy, who had just flown home before the fatal incident. Cassidy told The Sun she was blindsided. "Liam was in such a good headspace when I left Argentina… I just can't even believe the way things truly ended."
© GettyCheryl Speaks Out
Cheryl, who dated Payne from 2016 to 2018, issued a heartfelt public statement not long after his death. She mourned the father of her child while urging the public to show compassion. "We have lost a human being," she wrote on Instagram. "Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them."
© WireImageShe didn't hold back, calling out "abhorrent reports and media exploitation," and asking for Liam to be given "the little dignity he has left."
A Bittersweet Love Story
Their romance was the stuff of pop culture legend. Cheryl first met Liam when he auditioned for The X Factor at just 14 years old. At the time, she was a judge on the show. Though he didn't make the cut that year, the seed was planted.
Flash-forward to 2016, and the duo was officially a thing. After a whirlwind romance, including a not-so-secret pregnancy, they welcomed son Bear in March 2017. Payne was over the moon, posting on Instagram, "I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy… I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother."
© Mike Marsland/WireImageBut by mid-2018, the fairy tale unraveled. They announced their split in nearly identical social media posts, both pledging to co-parent with love and respect. "We still have so much love for each other as a family," Payne wrote. "Bear is our world."
From Bandmate to Father
Before he became a dad and solo artist, Payne found fame as part of One Direction, the group engineered by X Factor judges who saw something special in five solo hopefuls. Alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, Payne went from reality TV contestant to global phenomenon.
After the band went on hiatus in 2016, Payne pursued solo stardom and released tracks like "Strip That Down," but also struggled publicly with fame, addiction, and his mental health.
He was open about his challenges, often crediting Cheryl with being a steady hand in the storm. On Logan Paul's "Impaulsive" podcast in 2022, he praised her parenting and support. "She gives me full autonomy… and at the same time I know [Bear] 's being taken care of because he's all she cares about."
© GC ImagesWhat Happens Next?
Cheryl and Bray are holding the financial reins for now, but only temporarily. A full grant will be required before any funds can be dispersed or assets divided. It's unclear whether Payne left specific intentions for his estate, but given the absence of a will, his family will follow the UK's intestacy rules.
It's a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can turn and how important it is to make plans, no matter your age or net worth.
© Dave Benett/Getty Images for AnnAs fans continue to process the loss of one of pop music's brightest stars, Cheryl and Bray now face the delicate task of preserving Payne's legacy, one that spans music, fatherhood, and the kind of complex human story no headline could ever fully capture.
