CELEBRITY FAMILIES

Cher denied conservatorship as son Elijah Blue Allman remains in a psychiatric hospital

He was arreted twice in three days in New Hampshire

American musician Elijah Blue Allman and his mother, singer & actor Cher attend the world premiere of 'Blow' at Mann Chinese Theater, Hollywood, California, March 29, 2001. (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

APRIL 24, 2026 6:41 PM EDTAPR 24, 2026, 6:41 PM EDT

Cher is once again fighting for her son, Elijah Blue Allman. Unfortunately, the court is not on her side. On April 24, a Los Angeles judge denied the singer's request to place the 49-year-old under a temporary conservatorship, ruling there wasn’t “sufficient urgency” to justify immediate intervention.

Elijah Blue Allman and his mother, Cher, attend the 70th Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on March 23, 1998

The decision comes as Allman remains in a psychiatric hospital in New Hampshire, "in an attempt to restore him to competency," per PEOPLE. He appeared in court via video while facing multiple criminal charges tied to two separate cases. News broke in March that he was arrested twice in three days in New Hampshire, including a burglary charge tied to an alleged break-in.

Cher and Elijah Blue Allman at the premiere of "Blow"

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the judge pointed out that since he is in the hospital with pending charges, he shouldn't be able to access his next distribution from his late father Gregg Allman’s trust on May 1. Allman was a musician and singer known as the founding member, vocalist, and keyboardist of The Allman Brothers Band.

Cher carries a tiny Elijah on March 20, 1977, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California

She also pointed out that the distributions have been happening for years. "The fact that a petition was filed two weeks before the next distribution, when that schedule has been known for a very long time, doesn't necessarily qualify in my mind as an emergency," the judge said.

You may also like

The 79-year-old mother of 2 has been vocal about her concerns, alleging in court filings that her son is “gravely disabled” due to ongoing mental health and addiction struggles. She claimed he has “no concept of money” and that any funds he receives are “immediately squandered” on drugs, expensive hotels, and other costs.

The filing also outlined mounting financial issues, including unpaid taxes and debt, painting a picture of someone unable to manage their own affairs. For example, she alleged he owed $18,000 to "a drug dealer who tracked him down," and he had to turn to a friend "to avoid being harmed."

Elijah Blue Allman and Cher attend the 5th Annual Fire and Ice Ball to Benefit Revlon UCLA Women Cancer Center on December 7, 1994

Her attorney, Justin Gold, echoed that urgency in court, saying the family is simply trying to help. “She’s out there trying to help him… to be the person she knows and loves,” he said, adding that both Cher and her family are “so sad this is happening.” He also argued that stabilizing Allman’s finances now could prevent further damage while he focuses on recovery.

Still, the judge wasn’t fully persuaded. While acknowledging "the concerns of Mr. Allman's friends and family regarding his behavior," she said they didn’t prove that Allman lacks the legal capacity to handle his own financial decisions or that a conservatorship is appropriate at this stage.

Cher and Elijah Blue backstage at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards

This isn’t the first time Cher has taken legal action. She initially filed for conservatorship in 2023 before dismissing the petition in 2024 after reaching a private agreement with her son. Allman's attorney said at the time that the decision "allows the parties to focus on healing and rebuilding their family bond, a process that began during mediation and continues today."

Now, with the latest request denied “without prejudice,” she has the option to file again.