Cher’s attempt to place her son, Elijah Blue Allman, under a conservatorship has faced another blow.
On Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica A. Uzcategui denied the superstar’s petition for temporary conservatorship.
“The Court finds that insufficient evidence has been provided” to appoint Cher as a temporary conservator over her son’s estate, reads Uzcategui’s order, filed Monday and obtained by USA TODAY on Wednesday.
In December, Cher filed a petition seeking to be Allman’s sole conservator because of alleged “severe mental health and substance abuse issues,” making him unable to manage his financial assets, she contends.
“The Court’s ruling this morning represents a significant triumph for Mr. Allman’s personal liberty and legal autonomy. We, at Cage & Miles, are pleased with the Court’s decision to deny Cher’s temporary conservatorship petition,” Avi Levy, one of Allman’s attorneys, said in a statement shared with USA TODAY on Monday.
“The Court’s ruling underscores the principle that conservatorship is a measure of last resort, not a tool to be used lightly. As the Court noted, there was insufficient evidence presented by Cher to establish an emergency exists for a temporary conservatorship.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Cher’s attorneys for comment.
Cher’s bid for conservatorship over Elijah Allman’s estate isn’t over
Another hearing is scheduled for March 6, according to the court’s case calendar. Levy said the judge will “deliberate on the question of a permanent conservatorship” during this hearing.
Cher observed the hearing remotely. She appeared on a large screen in the courtroom throughout but did not take part in the arguments.
Her attorneys argued that the support Allman was getting was from people who tell him what he wants to hear and downplay the size of his problems. They said his current apparent sobriety and mental health were illusory. They said he suffers from bipolar disorder, has been recently homeless, and that having large amounts of money might lead to access to drugs that could endanger his life.
Cher’s attorneys said that she was not necessarily seeking any direct control over Allman’s money and would be happy to have a court-appointed fiduciary manage his finances.
Allman was in the courtroom with his attorneys, who acknowledged his previous struggles but argued that he is in a good place now, attending meetings, getting treatment and reconciling with his previously estranged wife.
Elijah Blue Allman said Cher is ‘unfit’ to be his conservator
Allman has opposed his mother becoming his conservator. Earlier this month, the judge declined to immediately approve Cher’s conservatorship request. Cher’s legal team did not give Allman or his attorneys enough time to review the documents they filed, Uzcategui ruled.
Allman said that after struggling with addiction and making irresponsible financial decisions in the past, he receives professional treatment and regularly attends alcoholics anonymous meetings, according to court records.
“Given that I no longer have an active dissolution case, I believe that my wife would have priority to be appointed conservator, if necessary, but I do not need that either,” Allman said in the objection filing. “Under no circumstances am I comfortable having my mom as my conservator even if that was necessary.”
A conservatorship of his estate is not necessary and his mother “unfit to serve” in that role, he contends.
Blue’s wife, Marieangela King, also denounced the conservatorship, calling it “deeply disturbing,” in a statement issued by her record label, Verdict Music, and shared with USA TODAY. King claims she “has historically been excluded from the decision-making process when it comes to her husband’s medical treatment.”
Cher’s conservatorship petition:Why a judge denid Cher’s conservatorship request over her son
Why is Cher filing for conservatorship over her son’s estate?
Cher is seeking to be the sole conservator of her son’s estate and resources and per the filing, the “Moonstruck” actor has “worked tirelessly” to get her son needed help.
“Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from a trust established by his father for his benefit, but given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues, Petitioner (Cher) is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will immediately be spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself, and putting Elijah’s life at risk,” the filing stated.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY; Andrew Dalton, Associated Press
