As recently reported by Rolling Stone, legendary singer and actress Cher is again seeking a California conservatorship in respect of her adult son, Elijah Blue Allman (“Allman”). While Cher first sought a conservatorship in 2023, claiming that her son required urgent protection in the context of worsening substance abuse, mental health, and rapid dissipation of trust funds received, emergency relief was denied at that time. In September 2024, the parties reached a private settlement.

However, in April 2026, Cher revived her conservatorship petition, reportedly citing that Allman had breached his promise to hire a business manager, and his substance abuse and mental health struggles had relapsed. The appointment of a neutral conservator, namely, a licensed private fiduciary, as opposed to Cher herself was sought. In April, the Court declined to grant the requested relief, apparently noting that there was a lack of urgency because Allman was detained in New Hampshire following back-to-back arrests.

The matter was back before the Court in June 2026, yet was adjourned to September 1, 2026, in light of Allman, who appeared by video from a psychiatric hospital, not having legal representation and claiming that he wanted to represent himself. The presiding judge advised him that he was required to be represented, and that if he appeared again without a lawyer, one would be appointed for him. Additionally, she questioned whether she had the jurisdiction to hear the matter at all. Allman, who is facing a number of criminal charges in New Hampshire, is likely to spend at least the next year and a half detained in a psychiatric hospital, and/or in jail, and/or in a treatment facility in that state. This, in combination with Allman’s apparent assertions that California was not his legal home, and that he did not intend on returning there, stalled the proceedings. In advance of the hearing, Cher’s legal counsel is to file a legal brief on the jurisdiction issue.