Cheryl Tweedy is set to become an administrator of Liam Payne’s multi-million estate, after the late pop star left no will – but she is unlikely to benefit financially from it. Fans were left distraught when the One Direction star suffered a fatal fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last October.
The ‘Strip That Down’ artist and dad to Bear, eight, with Cheryl, had assets amounting to £24.3m. Legal procedures began on May 1, with music attorney Richard Bray joining Cheryl as an administrator of the fortune initially totalling £28.6m before deductions.
Shortly following Liam’s death, Cheryl shared a heartfelt message: “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 added: “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. What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”
Cheryl also pleaded with the public about the harm of speculation and insensitivity following Liam’s passing. She said: “I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl.”
The couple welcomed their son Bear into the world at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on 22 March 2017, reports the Mirror. Liam shared his emotions on Instagram at the time, stating: “My close friends and family know there are very few times when I’m left speechless… wow!”
Despite splitting shortly after Bear’s first birthday, Cheryl and Liam remained committed to co-parenting. While Liam wasn’t always physically present, he consistently ensured that his son’s needs were met.
Close associates of Liam indicated that the thoughtful performer had put provisions in place years earlier so that his wealth would benefit Bear should anything happen to him.
An insider confided to The Daily Mail, noting Liam’s deep love for his child: “Liam had some very sensible people around him for a time and he adored Bear so much. He always wanted to do the right thing by him financially. It is a small consolation that Bear will never want for anything, that he will at least benefit from that.”
What does the law say?
According to the UK’s ‘rules of intestacy’, the money and assets of an ‘intestate person’ – someone who died without making a will – will go to married partners, civil partners, or certain relatives. In Liam’s case, as he has never been married, it is unlikely that Cheryl or Kate Cassidy, his partner at the time of his death, will directly benefit from the late star’s £24 million fortune.
Instead, the law dictates that Liam’s fortune is likely to go to his son Bear, but he won’t be able to receive the inheritance until he is 18 years old. Until then, the money will be held in a trust, managed by a ‘trustee’. You can find out more about the UK’s intestacy rules by visiting Citizen’s Advice here.
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