Cher and her daughter-in-law, Marieangela King-Allman, are facing off in a legal dispute over who should oversee the affairs of Cher’s son, Elijah Blue Allman.
The latest development came on August 28, when Cher filed a supplemental brief in a Los Angeles court opposing King-Allman’s potential appointment as Elijah’s conservator. Cher’s filing argues that her daughter-in-law should not be given control of her son’s affairs.
The case is unfolding alongside guardianship proceedings in New Hampshire, where Elijah is currently being held at a psychiatric hospital while facing criminal charges.
Why Cher and Marie Angela King-Allman Are in Court
At the centre of the dispute is a simple but significant question: Who should have legal authority to make decisions concerning Elijah Blue Allman?
According to Cher’s latest court filing, she opposes King-Allman serving as conservator. Her legal team points to the couple’s estrangement and previous divorce proceedings as reasons she should not be appointed.
Cher’s attorneys also allege that King-Allman did not provide sufficient support to Elijah during earlier difficulties. The filing further claims that King-Allman’s renewed involvement could be motivated by financial interests.
Those are allegations made in court documents, however, and have not been established as facts by a court.
Marieangela King-Allman Disputes Cher’s Position
King-Allman has strongly challenged Cher’s position.
In her own court filings, she has argued that she is Elijah’s wife and believes she should be involved in decisions about his care. She has also raised concerns about Cher’s previous attempts to obtain control over Elijah’s affairs.
King-Allman has said that Elijah needs a long-term treatment plan and support focused on his recovery. She has also argued that placing him under the control of someone from whom he has been estranged could negatively affect his autonomy and recovery.
The competing positions show why the dispute has become more complicated than a straightforward family disagreement. Both women say their priority is Elijah’s well-being, but they disagree sharply about who is best positioned to protect his interests.
Elijah Blue Allman’s Current Legal Situation
Elijah, 50, is currently involved in legal proceedings in New Hampshire.
His situation has also prompted separate guardianship proceedings there. According to recent court reporting, the New Hampshire State Hospital became involved in seeking a guardianship arrangement after Elijah’s placement in the state’s psychiatric system.
The New Hampshire proceedings are important because they could affect what happens with the California conservatorship case.
Cher has supported the possibility of having Elijah’s half-brothers, Chaz Bono and Devon Allman, serve in a guardianship role rather than King-Allman.
Chaz Bono is Cher’s son from her marriage to Sonny Bono. Devon Allman is Elijah’s half-brother through their late father, Gregg Allman.
Elijah’s Marriage Has Added Another Layer to the Dispute
The legal conflict also comes against the backdrop of Elijah and King-Allman’s troubled marriage.
The couple married in 2013. King-Allman filed for divorce in 2021, but that case was later dismissed. She subsequently filed another divorce proceeding in 2025, which was also dismissed in 2026.
That history has become relevant to the current conservatorship dispute.
Cher’s attorneys have cited the previous divorce proceedings and the couple’s estrangement as part of their argument against King-Allman’s appointment.
King-Allman, meanwhile, maintains that she remains Elijah’s wife and wants to help him receive appropriate treatment.
Cher Previously Sought Control of Elijah’s Affairs
This is not the first time Cher has sought a conservatorship involving her son.
She initially filed for a conservatorship in December 2023, citing concerns about Elijah’s condition and alleged substance abuse issues. The situation later changed, and Cher withdrew that effort in 2024 after the family reached a private resolution.
Cher renewed her efforts in 2026 after further concerns surrounding Elijah’s circumstances.
A California court has since been considering the competing positions while the New Hampshire guardianship case develops.
California Case Could Depend on What Happens in New Hampshire
The two legal proceedings may ultimately influence each other.
Cher’s attorneys have indicated that if the New Hampshire guardianship provides a sufficiently permanent and protective arrangement for Elijah, Cher could abandon her California conservatorship effort.
For now, however, the California proceedings remain active.
A Los Angeles judge agreed to continue the matter while the New Hampshire guardianship process moves forward. The next hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2026, according to recent reports.
What Happens Next in the Elijah Blue Allman Case?
The immediate focus will remain on the New Hampshire guardianship proceedings and the competing positions of the family members involved.
The court will ultimately have to determine what arrangement best serves Elijah’s legal and personal interests.
For Cher, the priority is securing what she believes is appropriate oversight for her son. For King-Allman, the argument centres on her position as Elijah’s wife and her belief that he should receive treatment without unnecessary interference with his autonomy.
At this stage, no final decision has been made giving King-Allman or Cher permanent control over Elijah’s affairs.
The case therefore remains unresolved, with the next major developments expected as the New Hampshire guardianship proceedings continue.