- Cher is fighting to gain legal ownership of her son
- He has been battling heavy substance abuse
- A judge has denied the request for conservatorship
Hollywood's glitterati were on the edge of their seats as pop legend Cher, faced a courtroom setback in her quest to shield her son, Elijah Blue Allman, from his demons. The "Believe" singer's emergency motion to place her son under a temporary conservatorship was slapped down by a Los Angeles judge, leaving fans and followers gasping!
Cher's motherly fears not enough
Despite the Grammy winner's remote presence, her legal eagles swooped in with claims that without this drastic measure, Allman might not see another year. The court, however, wasn't buying it. The judge pointed out that Allman, who has been battling schizoaffective disorder, has shown he's got a grip on his life, managing his finances and staying clean after acing several drug tests.
The courtroom was brimming with tension as Cher's attorneys painted a picture of urgency, citing Allman's 5150 holds and the pursuit of a bipolar diagnosis. Yet, the judge stood firm, declaring fears and hypotheticals are not the meat and potatoes needed for a conservatorship ruling. The evidence, it seems, just wasn't there.
Cher lawyer’s continued to voice her concern while referencing Allman’s treatment for schizoaffective disorder and revealing that he was placed in several 5150 holds. That is a California legal code which allows a person with a mental illness to be involuntarily detained for a 72-hour psychiatric hospitalization.
The argument of his mental stability or lack thereof seemed to be a slam-dunk for them. The attorneys also stated that they were working on receiving a bipolar diagnosis for Allman from a "leading physician." They said, "Cher was told by doctors that if she did not take this step as his mother that he will once again end up on the street."
The judge stated in response, "I don’t question Cher’s concerns being driven by concern for her son. I don't think [Allman] questions that."
Regardless, the justice said that there was not sufficient evidence to agree to the temporary conservatorship, since much of what they were arguing was based on “fears” and hypotheticals.
"That in and of itself is not basis for the court to appoint a probate conservatorship. I have not seen the evidence to grant a temporary, emergency conservatorship as of today," the judge ruled.
What about his finances?
The hearing also saw Allman’s lawyers request to Cher’s team that her trustee make financial distributions to him, including one that is due in the near future and another that was withheld in December. The singer’s lawyers, meanwhile, confirmed that funds would be distributed, but that they would go directly to vendors instead of "directly into his hands."
So, what happens now? After all, there is a bit of money on the line!
Cher originally filed papers in the ongoing case in Los Angeles Superior Court in early January seeking to be the sole conservator of her son's estate, claiming that he is "substantially unable to manage his financial resources."
And the thing is, the document says that Allman is "currently unable to manage his assets due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues." The document also claims that his estranged wife is not fit to be his conservator because "their tumultuous relationship has been marked by a cycle of drug addiction and mental health crises."
The filing continues, "Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from the Trust, but given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues, [Cher] is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah’s life at risk."
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As the legal drama unfolded, Allman's camp threw a curveball, demanding that Cher's trustee cough up financial distributions pronto. Cher's lawyers, however, had a different playbook, insisting that cash would flow, but not directly into Allman's hands, instead going straight to vendors.
The judge called time on the day's proceedings, penciling in March 6 for the next act in this family saga. Allman's attorney, Steven Bremer, shared a victorious statement, praising the court's decision and expressing optimism for the future.
For now, it looks like this family drama isn't going away any time soon!
