Liam Payne’s passing highlights the importance of estate planning

The unexpected death of Liam Payne, best known as a member of the global pop phenomenon One Direction, made headlines worldwide. The 31-year-old singer passed away in Argentina in October 2024, and recent reports confirm he died without leaving a Will.

Probate documents reveal that Payne left behind an estate worth more than £24 million after debts and expenses were deducted. With no Will in place, his estate must now be managed and distributed according to the rules of intestacy - a situation that presents both emotional and legal challenges for his loved ones.

In this blog, we explore what happens when someone dies without a Will, why Payne’s former partner, Cheryl, and a Lawyer have been appointed as Administrators, and why they currently have limited authority to manage his estate.

What happens if someone dies without a Will?

When someone passes away without a valid Will, they are said to have died intestate. In these cases, the intestacy rules determine how their estate is divided. These rules follow a strict legal hierarchy that doesn’t consider personal relationships or individual preferences, which can often result in outcomes that might not reflect the wishes of the deceased.

As Liam Payne was unmarried and had no surviving spouse or civil partner, his eight-year-old son Bear is entitled to inherit his entire estate. However, because Bear is a minor, he cannot directly receive or manage the inheritance himself. Instead, the court must appoint trusted adults to manage the estate on his behalf until he reaches adulthood.

Why have Cheryl and a Lawyer been appointed as Administrators?

In the absence of a Will naming Executors, the responsibility of managing the estate typically falls to the next of kin or a person with a clear legal interest in the estate. In Payne’s case, the court appointed Cheryl, his former partner and Bear’s mother, alongside music industry Lawyer Richard Bray as joint Administrators.

This is a common and practical decision. As Bear’s mother and guardian, Cheryl is in a strong position to represent her son’s best interests. Partnering her with a legal professional ensures the estate will be managed in compliance with probate law and that any complex financial matters, such as royalties, international property, or business interests, are handled appropriately.

Why do they only have limited authority to manage the estate?

Cheryl and Mr Bray have been granted a limited Grant of Representation, which gives them the legal authority to protect and preserve the estate but not to distribute it. This is often issued in cases involving large, complex, or international estates where additional time or legal oversight is required before full probate can proceed.

This limited authority allows them to carry out urgent tasks such as:

• Securing the deceased’s assets;
• Accessing financial and legal records;
• Paying essential costs and debts;
• Preventing financial loss or mismanagement.

This is  known as an Ad Colligenda Bona Grant and we have made applications like this before. It can be obtained  to protect an asset such as a house, when there was a buyer before the death or if the estate is in dispute," comments our Legal Services Director, Charlotte Toogood.

However, they cannot distribute the estate’s assets to beneficiaries or make decisions about inheritance until they receive a Letter of Administration.

The delay in receiving full authority can occur for several reasons, including awaiting legal developments, tracing or verifying beneficiaries, or valuing complex international or intangible assets (such as music rights).

Lessons from this high-profile case

Liam Payne’s situation is a powerful reminder that estate planning is essential, regardless of age, wealth, or fame. Without a Will, the people you care about may face delays, legal hurdles, or unintended financial consequences at an already difficult time.

Creating a valid Will allows you to:

• Decide who inherits your estate;
• Appoint trusted Executors;
• Make arrangements for children or dependents;
• Minimise the risk of disputes or delays.
  
  

How Kings Court Trust can help

If you are managing estate administration or helping someone navigate probate after a loved one’s death, Kings Court Trust is here to support you.

We’re specialists in estate administration, with experience handling everything from straightforward cases to high-value, complex, or intestate estates. Our aim is to reduce stress and give families clarity during a difficult time.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help with probate and estate administration, get in touch with our team today.