Cheryl’s young son Bear could be blocked from inheriting his father’s multi-million pound fortune until he is at least 25-years-old, sources suggest.
A source close to the Girls Aloud singer has claimed she wants to protect her son until he is at an age where he can make “informed decisions” about the money.
Payne died last October after plummeting from a third floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina aged 31.
Cheryl, 41, welcomed Bear, now eight, with Liam in 2017 and has reportedly sought advice from trustees of the former One Direction star’s estate and wants to put the money aside for when he is older.
A source told The Sun: “She wants him to still have ambition and the drive to succeed without the back-up of the money — and she’s aware that people may want to befriend him because they are aware of his situation.
“Cheryl has spoken to the trustees and the money will be invested until Bear is of the right age to start receiving some of it.”
Payne left behind £28.6million which, after expenses and debts were paid, went down to £24.3million. However, he didn’t make a will before his passing.
According to court documents filed on May 1, in addition to Cheryl, music lawyer Richard Bray was also named as an administrator.
Under UK rules, a person's spouse is the first to claim any money following their death, followed by the deceased's child. As Payne and the Girls Aloud singer never married, the money will go to Bear with Cheryl looking after it until he is older.
Liam and Cheryl had been dating for a year when they revealed they were set to become parents for the first time. The pair later split but remained close.
Liam said at the time: “We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world.”
Issuing a statement at the time of his death, Cheryl said: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.
"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."
