Liam Payne died without a will leaving behind multimillion-dollar legacy and unanswered questions

Before his sudden death at 31, former One Direction star Liam Payne made sure his son Bear would be financially secure for life, setting him up with a multimillion-dollar legacy — despite never writing a will.

Payne, who died in October after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires after a drug and alcohol binge, left behind an estate worth over £24 million ($AUD50m).

It has now been revealed that before he died, the singer took steps to secure the financial future of his eight-year-old son, whom he shared with ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy.

Court documents reportedly reveal that, after debts and expenses were settled, his estate totalled $A50 million.

Administration of the estate has been granted to Ms Tweedy, and under UK intestacy laws, it is expected that the majority of Payne’s fortune will go to Bear, likely placed in trust.

Although Payne did not draft a formal will, those close to him said he had made plans to ensure Bear would “never want for anything”, including investing in property such as a mansion in Buckinghamshire and buying a home for his parents.

His estate was issued a limited ad colligenda bona grant, typically used when a property sale is underway shortly after someone’s death.

Though the singer spent long periods living abroad, he remained committed to providing for Bear.

One source close to Payne told The Daily Mail, “He always wanted to do the right thing by him financially. It is a small consolation that Bear will never want for anything.”

Payne’s girlfriend at the time of his death, Kate Cassidy, may receive nothing under the rules of intestacy, despite her claims that the two had discussed marriage.

She later revealed Payne had written her a note expressing his hope that they would wed within the year.

Ms Cassidy, who had returned to Florida two days before Payne’s death, described him as her “best friend” and the “love of her life”.

Following his death, more than $A64 thousand was raised for Great Ormond Street Hospital through funeral and fan donations. The funds will support the construction of a new children’s cancer unit.

Payne’s death was officially attributed to “polytrauma,” meaning he suffered multiple severe injuries.

He had relapsed into alcohol and drug use after becoming sober in 2023.

In the hours before his death, witnesses saw him behaving erratically in the hotel lobby. He was later taken to his room, where he is believed to have accidentally fallen.

Five individuals, including the hotel manager, receptionist, and a friend, have been charged with manslaughter in Argentina.

Payne’s funeral was held in Buckinghamshire in November and attended by Ms Tweedy and his former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.