Cheryl is said to be ‘front and centre’ of managing the estate of her ex Liam Payne, who tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October
Seven months on from the heart-wrenching death of Liam Payne, who tragically fell from a hotel balcony, his former partner Cheryl has been handed the reins to manage the whopping $32 million (£24m) fortune he left behind.
Last week’s court papers revealed that the 31-year-old One Direction star hadn’t penned a will before his untimely passing. Now, Cheryl – alongside music showbiz solicitor Richard Bray – are tasked with sorting out his estate, which includes property, money and belongings.
The mum-of-one, aged 41, and Liam were an item for a solid two years until they called it quits in 2018, splitting just over a year after their son Bear came into the world.
In the wake of Liam’s death, a gutted Cheryl took to Instagram to express she was “navigating this earth-shattering event” and “working through her grief at this indescribably painful time.”
A source close to the Girls Aloud starlet has shared that she’s now relying on a close-knit group of pals and focusing on being “the best possible mom” to eight year old Bear, The Mirror reports.
“Liam not leaving a will means Cheryl is front and centre of what’s happening now. It’s a really sad situation and a lot for one person to handle,” the insider commented.
Maria Bailey, founder of Grief Specialists, a social enterprise aiding those hit by grief, reckons when someone passes without a will – or if the will doesn’t live up to hopes – it often sparks feelings of bewilderment, hurt and rage, on top of the sorrow of the loss itself, reports the Mirror US.
“You can’t have a conversation with the person, so you can’t find out their wishes, or their reasoning,” she explains. “This can feel overwhelming. Going through a bereavement is already emotionally complex, and unexpected responsibilities, like being named executor of an estate, can intensify that experience.
“When there’s no will, you can be thrust into emotionally and legally charged situations, which can lead to feelings of shock, resentment, guilt or anxiety, especially if family dynamics are strained, or if decisions are unclear.”
Liam tragically passed away after suffering “internal and external haemorrhage” and multiple traumatic injuries from a fall from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16.
The Argentinian prosecutor’s office later reported that tests showed traces of cocaine, alcohol and a prescription antidepressant in his system.
In December, five individuals were implicated in connection with the heartbreaking event, including the hotel’s manager, the receptionist, and a friend of Liam’s, but these charges were dropped earlier this year.
Two other staff members at the hotel were also accused of supplying cocaine to Liam on the night he died. His funeral was held in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, in November, drawing celebrities such as his ex-bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, along with Simon Cowell, Cheryl and Bear, and his then-girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Cheryl and Richard Bray have been left with the hefty task of managing a whopping $32 million (£24m) estate after debts and expenses, but they’re not in the clear to distribute it just yet. Maria highlighted how crucial it is for someone like Cheryl to carve out “emotional space to grieve” while also seeking practical help to deal with the maze of handling an estate sans will.
Maria said: “Grief isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ experience, but people often cycle through emotions such as anger, sadness and confusion, especially when there are unresolved issues, or surprises relating to the estate. Being made responsible for another person’s legacy can stir up additional emotions, such as doubt, or heaviness, and might also raise questions, such as ‘Why me?’ or ‘What would they have wanted?”
Post-Cheryl, Liam had a three-year stint with model and actress Maya Henry, who spoke to a magazine earlier this year, claiming her ex was “unrecognizable” on drugs and she had to ditch him because “staying in his world meant losing herself.”
At the time of his passing, Liam was loved up with model and influencer Kate Cassidy, who said they were planning to tie the knot.
The 26-year-old paid homage to Liam on Instagram, penning, “A few weeks ago, we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together.
“I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged and together forever.'”
Rumours are swirling that Kate might not get a slice of Liam’s fortune. In the UK, the law usually sees partners and children first in line for inheritance, hinting Cheryl could be setting up a trust for their child Bear.
The celeb is sorting out these hefty decisions with the help of solicitor Richard Bray, who, according to the Bray and Krais legal eagles, has “represented many high profile artists, performers, managers, record labels, publishers and senior executives” throughout his impressive 36-year stint in showbiz.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
