Liam Payne left £24m fortune, without will

Liam Payne left behind over £24 million in assets when he died.

The One Direction singer passed away at age 31 in Argentina last October. He did not make a will before his death.

When someone dies without a will, children usually inherit the estate. Since Payne never married, his son Bear, aged eight, is the heir. Bear's mother is Cheryl, Payne's partner for more than two years.

Cheryl and music lawyer Richard Bray are administrators of his estate. They will manage the funds but have limited authority to distribute them.

Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. In February, an Argentine court dropped charges against three of five people linked to his death.

His passing shocked fans and the music industry. One Direction was one of the most successful pop groups of the 2010s.

Probate documents show his estate had a gross value of £28.6 million. After deducting debts and expenses, it was reduced to £24.3 million.

Cheryl and Bray received a limited grant of representation. This allows them to preserve the estate until a general grant is made.