Liam Payne Dies Without a Will – What It Means for His Son Bear - Bereaved Minor Trust
- Kylie Cox
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The shocking news of Liam Payne's passing has left fans reeling — but behind the headlines lies a more sobering reality: the former One Direction star died without making a Will.
That’s right — despite his fame and fortune and just like many people in their early 30s, Liam didn’t put a plan in place for what should happen to his estate. And because of that, his young son Bear (with ex-partner Cheryl Cole) is now set to inherit everything automatically under the UK’s intestacy laws.
But here’s where it gets complicated…
What Happens When You Die Without a Will?
When someone dies intestate (without a valid Will), the law decides who inherits — not you. Because Liam wasn’t married at the time of his death, and Bear is his only child, Bear becomes entitled to inherit 100% of Liam’s estate. That may sound straightforward — but Bear is a minor. And minors can’t legally own or manage money in their own name until they turn 18. That’s where the Bereaved Minor’s Trust comes in.
What Is a Bereaved Minor’s Trust?
Under UK law, if a parent dies and leaves everything to a child under 18, the law automatically creates what’s called a Bereaved Minor’s Trust.
Here’s what that means:
The money is held on trust until the child reaches age 18.
The Trustees (the people in charge of the trust) manage the money on the child’s behalf.
The Trustees can use income and even capital to benefit the child while they’re still a minor — for things like school fees, housing, and general welfare.
It’s designed to protect the child’s inheritance until they’re legally old enough to take control.
Who Are the Trustees — And Why Cheryl?
Because Liam died intestate, the rules of intestacy also govern who can act as administrator and Trustee of the estate (rather than an executor appointed by a Will).
In practice, Cheryl — as Bear’s mother — was likely the most suitable and appropriate person to step in since the person in line will have been Bear, but since he is under the age of 18, the responsibility would fall to his parent or guardian. Even though she and Liam had separated, she is Bear’s legal guardian, and the person most closely involved in his day-to-day life.
It’s therefore highly likely that Cheryl Cole has been appointed as a Trustee of the Bereaved Minor’s Trust — giving her full responsibility for managing Liam’s entire estate on Bear’s behalf until he turns 18.
That’s a huge responsibility — and a legally binding one too.
What Happens When Bear Turns 18?
This is the part that surprises many people…
Under a Bereaved Minor’s Trust, Bear will automatically become entitled to the whole estate outright on his 18th birthday.
That could be:
Multi-millions in royalties, savings, and property
Shares, investments, and business interests
Personal possessions, including unreleased music or memorabilia
There’s no delay, no protection, and no ability to hold off distribution — unless Liam had made a Will with a different trust arrangement (like a Discretionary Trust or a Trust to age 25), which he didn’t.
So, at 18, Bear will legally own and control everything. Whether he’s ready or not. Don't believe what you read in the papers, Cheryl would have no legal right to hold Bear's inheritance until an older age, such as 21 or 25.
Why It Matters — And What You Can Learn
Liam Payne’s situation isn’t just celebrity gossip — it’s a real-life example of what happens when we don’t plan ahead.
Dying without a Will means you lose control.
You don’t decide who inherits.
You don’t decide when they inherit.
You don’t decide how they inherit.
It also means you miss the opportunity to:
Appoint Trustees you truly trust
Delay inheritance until your child is older
Appoint guardians to take care of your young children
Provide guidance and structure
Reduce tax exposure
If Liam had written a Will, he could have included a Trust to 25, or even longer, giving Bear the chance to mature before receiving a windfall. He could have named professional trustees alongside Cheryl and left clear instructions about how the money should be used. It also means that Liam's current partner cannot automatically benefit from his estate and nor can his family, such as his parents or siblings. Instead, it’s now a legal default — one that may not reflect his wishes.
Toucan Law Can Help
At Toucan Law, we’re experts in Will Writing, Estate Planning, and Trusts — especially when it comes to safeguarding young or vulnerable beneficiaries.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or just someone who wants to stay in control — we’ll help you put the right plans in place to protect the people you love most.
Don’t leave it to chance. Don’t leave it to the law.
Write your Will. Protect your children. Leave a legacy — not a legal mess.
Additional Reading:
Comments