The fate of the late Liam Payne’s estate is decided… 9-year-old son Bear Payne inherits alone assets worth 40 billion won

A legal ruling has been issued stating that the late Liam Payne’s massive estate—who served as a member of the boy band One Direction and died last year in a tragic accident—will be passed in full to his only children.

■ 9-year-old son Bear Payne designated as the sole heir to his father’s estate

According to reports from overseas media on the 22nd (local time), after conducting a final review of how the late Liam Payne’s property and estate should be managed, the court officially designated his only child, his son Bear Payne (Bear Payne·9), as the sole heir to all assets.

The estate size that Liam Payne left behind is estimated to be at least $30 million (about 41.5 billion won), including luxury real estate located in England and the United States, music royalties accumulated during his time with One Direction and his solo career, and various investment assets. To ensure the safe management of Bear, who is still a minor at the age of 9, the estate will be preserved and managed in the form of a trust fund (Trust Fund), which will be strictly controlled until Bear reaches adulthood.

■ “Anything for my son”… father’s final wish fulfilled

During his lifetime, Liam Payne repeatedly emphasized in media interviews and through people close to him that the purpose of his musical success and his wealth was solely for his son. He once appeared on a podcast and said, “All the businesses and activities I’m doing right now are to hand the company over to my son in the future and take responsibility for his life,” adding, “If the child wants it, he can have all of my assets and property,” showing deep parental love.

A close associate of singer Cheryl Cole (Cheryl Cole), Bear’s biological mother and Liam’s former partner, said in an interview with TMZ, “Although Liam left too soon, the biggest wish he had was to legally secure his son’s future in a stable way, and that wish has been realized. Cheryl is currently committed to protecting her son so he doesn’t feel his father’s absence, and she is relieved by this court decision.”

■ A major star in pop worldwide… a distinctive legacy aimed at his son

In October last year, Liam Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and died at the age of 31, shocking music fans around the world with deep grief and sorrow. At the time, all members of One Direction attended the funeral and lined up to send him off on his final journey, with a wave of mourning.