Elijah Blue Allman appeared in a Los Angeles court on Friday for a custody hearing initiated by his mother, Cher.
Allman, 47, was with his estranged wife Marieangela King at the hearing after he filed to dismiss the divorce earlier this week, while Cher’s lawyers appeared in her absence.
During the hearing, the singer’s lawyers argued that the proposed guardianship was a “life and death decision”.
The hearing dealt with an ex parte application filed by the pop icon, 77, on Thursday, seeking to have her son placed in temporary custody. “We need the ability today to be able to receive money on Mr. Allman’s behalf to simply make sure that we keep it safe and use it for his benefit,” Cher’s counsel said.
Cher files for custody of son Elijah Blue Allman due to ‘severe’ addiction issues
The judge ultimately denied the ex parte motion, arguing that Allman and his legal team did not have enough time to review all the documents, since they were filed on Thursday.
Allman also sought court approval for a new attorney during Friday’s hearing, as his previously assigned attorney appeared to be court-appointed in a “conflict of interest.”
The lawyers he proposed were approved, and the continuation of the temporary hearing was set for January 29.
Ahead of the hearing, Cher filed an ex parte motion on Friday to be granted a temporary guardianship of her son.
Elijah Blue Allman and Cher.
Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
The contractor claimed in documents obtained by PEOPLE that “the appointment of a temporary conservator is urgently needed” so that money owed by Allman from his trust fund “can be held and managed for his benefit.”
The filing states that Allman “is eligible to receive distributions from the foundation, but due to serious mental health and substance abuse issues,” he is “currently unable to manage his finances.”
According to the documents, the Grammy winner emailed Allman because she was “unable to locate” and “deliver it in person.” She also emailed his estranged wife, Marieangela King, because she was “concerned” that “if she found out about the proceedings, she would take steps to prevent the Petition from being located and served on Elijah.”
Before their court appearance Friday morning, Allman filed an objection to his mother’s petition to appoint a temporary guardian.
According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, he claims there is “no reason to appoint a conservator” because “there is simply no emergency that requires it.”
Cher’s son’s estranged wife claims singer ‘keeps meddling’ as couple agree to work on marriage amid divorce
In the filing, Allman states that he has “struggled with addiction and spent money in ways that were not always the most responsible,” and adds that he is now “under the care” of a doctor, attending AA meetings and willing to take drug tests.
“I am reconciling with my wife so that we can work on our relationship now that I have found a path to sobriety,” Allman said in the documents.
Allman also suggested, according to the filing, that his estranged wife could become his guardian “if necessary.”
The paper continued: “Under no circumstances am I comfortable having my mum as my guardian.”
“While I understand that my mother, the proposed guardian, believes she has my best interests at heart and I appreciate her love and support, I do not need her unsolicited help or support at this time.”
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Elijah Blue Allman and Cher. Collection of Jim Smeal/Ron Galella via Getty
The “Believe” singer filed for guardianship in December, seeking to be the sole custodian of her son’s estate, claiming he is “essentially incapable of managing his financial resources.”
In documents obtained by PEOPLE, Cher said that while Elijah is due to receive assets from the trust before the end of the year, a conservator is “urgently needed … to protect Elijah’s assets from loss or injury” because he is “currently unable to manage his assets due to serious mental health and substance abuse problems.” The document also states that his estranged wife, Marieangela King, is unfit to be his guardian because “their tumultuous relationship was marked by a cycle of drug addiction and mental health crises.”
The filing continues, “Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from the Foundation, but given his ongoing mental health and addiction issues, [Cher] he is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah without funds for himself and putting Elijah’s life in danger.”
The submission concluded by stating that Infatuated with the moon the actress reportedly “worked tirelessly to get Elijah into treatment and get him the help he needed.”
Cher’s son Elijah Blue Allman is backing out of his divorce from his wife over the singer’s custody filing
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While on Friday the hearing was for the temporary order, the hearing for the permanent order is scheduled for March 6.
Cher broke her silence on Elijah’s ordeal in October, revealing her relationship with her son to PEOPLE after a report surfaced that she allegedly hired four men to forcibly remove her son from a New York hotel room in an apparent intervention in November 2022. King revealed in divorce papers she filed in December 2022 that recently surfaced.
As for the allegations, Cher told PEOPLE that “the rumors are not true” and declined to comment further.
She confirmed, however, that the private family matter is related to her son’s addiction, which he has been openly talking about for years.
“I don’t suffer from any problem that millions of people in the United States don’t have,” Cher said, watching her son’s long-term struggles with substance abuse. “I am a mother. This is my job — to try to help my children in one way or another. You do everything for your children. Whenever you can help them, just do it because that’s what being a mother is all about. But it’s a joy, even with the heartache – mostly, when you think of your children, you just smile and love them, and try to be there for them.”
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