When an 8-Year-Old Inherits Millions — Is He Really Protected?

The headlines around Liam Payne’s unexpected death have mostly focused on the size of his estate — reported at $32 million — and the fact that he passed without a will. But the real story isn’t just about the number. It’s about who stands to inherit it: his 8-year-old son, Bear.

Without an estate plan in place, this is exactly the kind of situation that creates long-term problems. Under intestacy laws, Bear is likely the primary heir. In Nebraska, if a person dies without a will and leaves children, those children will inherit the estate (or share it with a surviving spouse, if applicable). If there is no surviving spouse, as appears to be the case here, the children inherit the entire estate.

But here’s the key issue: an 8-year-old cannot directly manage or inherit $32 million. In the absence of a will or trust to direct the inheritance, the estate will almost certainly go through probate — a public process that takes time, costs money, and exposes family finances to public scrutiny. More importantly, since Bear is a minor, the court will need to appoint a conservator (Nebraska’s term for the person who manages a minor’s property) to oversee the assets on Bear’s behalf until he reaches the age of majority, which in Nebraska is 19, not 18. There may also need to be a guardian appointed to handle decisions about Bear’s person (health, education, and welfare), though sometimes one person serves both roles.

Without a structured trust in place, the conservator’s hands may be somewhat tied in terms of how funds can be used — and once Bear turns 19, he would gain full control of the entire inheritance. Even for an extremely mature young adult, managing millions of dollars at 19 is a tall order. Without guardrails, the risk of financial missteps is significant.

This is why estate planning — especially when children are involved — is about so much more than avoiding probate or saving taxes. It’s about creating a structure that protects what you’ve built, ensures responsible management of those assets, and provides guidance and security for your family. A thoughtfully designed trust could have provided professional management, gradual distributions tied to milestones, and protections against poor decision-making or outside influences.

And this is not an issue limited to celebrity estates. Many Nebraska families — even those without millions — face similar risks if they haven’t created a clear estate plan. Minor children cannot directly inherit assets. Without a plan, courts will step in, and the resulting structure may not reflect your values or your wishes. The process can also create an emotional burden for surviving family members, open the door to potential family disputes, and leave your legacy shaped by state law rather than your own intent.

Leaving behind wealth — of any size — without a plan isn’t a legacy. It’s a missed opportunity to care for your family with intention. It’s a missed opportunity to provide stability when they’ll need it most. And it’s a missed opportunity to shape how your values are passed on.

If you’d like to learn more about how to protect your family through proper estate planning — especially when children are involved — or if you have an existing plan you’d like to review, feel free to reach out. You can contact me at 402-259-0059 or email me at zach@zandersonlaw.com. I’m always happy to help you think it through.