Elijah Blue Allman was a no-show in court Tuesday as his mother, Cher, sought to put her California conservatorship bid on hold while a separate guardianship battle plays out in New Hampshire.
The 50-year-old musician did not appear in person or remotely for the Sept. 1 hearing as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica A. Uzcategui considered the latest developments in the “Believe” singer’s petition to establish conservatorship over his estate, which would place his financial affairs under court supervision.
Allman’s on-again, off-again wife, Marieangela King, was also present in the courtroom to show support for her husband.
Judge Uzcategui said, “At the last hearing Mr. Elijah Allman advised the court that he wished to represent himself. The court did advise Mr. Allman that that was not possible and that he did need an attorney. I did order Mr. [Steven] Brumer to appear today and the court sent notice to Mr. Brumer to appear today as well as advising Mr. Brumer that if he did not appear today, that the court would reappoint council for Mr. Allman.”
“Mr. Brumer is not here today, Mr. Allman is not here today, I am going to reappoint council,” she continued.
“And then because we do not have Mr. Allman or a representative on his behalf here today, I am simply going to continue this matter.” Uzcategui continued. “He is entitled to have someone here for today’s hearing.”
Judge Uzcategui continued the matter for Dec. 1. This is also Allman and King’s wedding anniversary, as they tied the knot on Dec. 1, 2013.
The hearing came just days after Cher asked the court to postpone the California proceedings for approximately 120 days while a New Hampshire court determines who should serve as Elijah’s guardian.
In an Aug. 28 supplemental filing obtained by Page Six, Cher revealed that New Hampshire State Hospital initiated guardianship proceedings for Elijah on July 7, covering both his person and estate. The filing also sought to have his half-brothers Chaz Bono and Devon Allman appointed as guardians.
Cher’s attorneys said they had been informed that the New Hampshire court agreed a guardianship was appropriate, but that a dispute remained over who should serve as guardian, including whether King could or should take on the role.
The filing said there was “no longer a dispute” in New Hampshire over whether Elijah needs a guardianship and that the issue now centers on the identity of the guardian. Cher’s attorneys said it remains unclear how long the New Hampshire guardianship will last.
Because of those proceedings, Cher asked the California court to continue her conservatorship petition for roughly four months so she can determine whether the New Hampshire guardianship provides sufficient protection for her son.
If the New Hampshire arrangement becomes permanent and Cher believes it adequately protects Elijah, her attorneys said she may dismiss the California petition. If the guardianship proves temporary or Elijah is permitted to leave New Hampshire, however, Cher intends to continue pursuing the California conservatorship “for his protection.”
The hearing marked the latest development in Cher’s years-long effort to gain court oversight of her son’s finances amid concerns about his mental health, substance abuse and ability to manage his money.
The matter returned to court after Judge Uzcategui previously declined to grant Cher’s request for a temporary emergency conservatorship while Allman was undergoing treatment at a New Hampshire psychiatric facility.
Reps for Cher and Allman did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
According to previously filed court documents, Cher, 80, has argued a conservator is needed to protect the approximately $120,000 in annual trust distributions Elijah receives from the estate of his late father, Gregg Allman.
The “Moonstruck” star has alleged that her son is “gravely disabled,” that his condition had “significantly deteriorated” since she first sought a conservatorship in 2023 and claimed he routinely exhausted trust distributions shortly after receiving them.
Cher further alleged Elijah’s “drug dependency is at its worst” and that his mental health struggles have contributed to financial mismanagement and behavior that places his assets at risk.
The court previously authorized an investigator to review Elijah’s medical records while evaluating whether a conservatorship is necessary, and sealed medical and court investigator reports were subsequently filed on June 18.
Meanwhile, King filed a formal objection to Cher’s petition in July, arguing that a California conservatorship is unnecessary and asking the court to either dismiss or stay the case.
She claimed Elijah has remained in New Hampshire since before February and argued that his current treatment, court supervision and professionally managed trust already provide safeguards for both him and his finances. She alternatively asked that she be appointed conservator if the court determines one is necessary.
Cher sharply pushed back against King’s request in the new filing, arguing that she is “unfit to serve as conservator.”
Cher’s attorneys alleged King had been estranged from Elijah and in the process of divorcing him while he was struggling and claimed she failed to assist despite repeated requests from Kayti Pease, who had been helping care for Elijah.
The filing further accused King of seeing “a financial opportunity to control his income” and attempting to reinsert herself into Elijah’s life following his detention in New Hampshire. Cher’s attorneys also claimed Elijah has refused to meet with King on three occasions while at New Hampshire State Hospital.
Cher’s attorneys said New Hampshire State Hospital and the rest of Elijah’s family remain “adamantly opposed” to King serving as guardian, citing her prior estrangement from Elijah and alleging the family believes she is seeking money and/or attention.
King’s earlier objection included a New Hampshire order stating that a guardianship petition involving Bono and Devon had been granted on July 17 subject to both men posting $10,000 fiduciary bonds.
A July 20 notice stated Bono’s bond had been approved, while Devon still needed to submit a signed fiduciary bond form before his certificate of appointment could be issued.
King claimed she was not given notice of the New Hampshire proceedings and said the matter was subsequently placed in abeyance after she raised the issue so she could have an opportunity to be heard.
Cher’s newest filing now says a future New Hampshire hearing will determine whether King can or should serve as guardian, suggesting the ultimate identity of Elijah’s guardian remains unresolved.
Allman was arrested on Feb. 27 following an incident at St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., and was booked on two counts of simple assault and one count each of criminal trespass, criminal threatening and disorderly conduct, according to TMZ.
The Concord Police Department reportedly responded to a call about an unwanted male guest “causing a disturbance and acting belligerently” at the prep school around 7 p.m.
The criminal case remains ongoing.
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