A bitter family dispute over the conservatorship of Elijah Allman has intensified, with his mother Cher filing legal documents that sharply criticize his estranged wife's attempt to gain control of his affairs.
Court documents obtained by Us Weekly on Tuesday, September 1, reveal that the 80-year-old singer's attorneys have formally opposed Marieangela King's recent petition to be appointed as conservator for the 50-year-old Allman. The filing accuses King of pursuing the role for financial motives rather than genuine concern for her husband's welfare.
The legal response presents a scathing assessment of King's fitness to serve in the conservatorship role. According to the filing, Cher's legal team argues that King, 39, demonstrated indifference to Allman's struggles before his current hospitalization and is now attempting to capitalize on the situation.
"The family remain adamantly opposed to Mrs. King-Allman serving given her estrangement from Elijah as evidenced by the previously pending divorce, her refusal and failure to assist Elijah and [family friend] Kayti Pease while he was struggling before he was arrested in New Hampshire, and/or because the family believes that she is inserting herself back into the picture on a quest for money and/or a bit of fame," the court documents state.
The filing further notes that Allman himself has reportedly rejected contact with King during his confinement at the New Hampshire State Hospital. "Furthermore, [Cher] is informed and believes that Elijah himself, while incarcerated in the [New Hampshire State Hospital], has denied Mrs. King-Allman from visiting him three times already," according to the documents.
The Grammy-winning performer's legal team contends that the central question in New Hampshire proceedings is not whether Allman requires a guardianship, but rather who should assume that responsibility. Cher has been informed that there is no longer dispute over the necessity of such an arrangement, only over the appropriate guardian.
The court filing characterizes King as fundamentally unsuitable for the conservator position. Cher's attorneys note that King was actively pursuing divorce from Allman for an extended period before the conservatorship proceedings began, and they allege she provided no assistance during his difficulties.
"Now that a conservatorship is pending, Mrs. King-Allman clearly sees a financial opportunity to control his income, and she has attempted to seize the opportunity created by his incarceration to try to reinsert herself back into his life," the documents assert. "[Cher] is informed and believes that Mr. Allman has refused to meet with Mrs. King-Allman all three times she tried while in New Hampshire. Whether Mr. Allman ultimately chooses to be in a relationship with Mrs. King-Allman is a choice he will hopefully be able to make independently, but given her behavior and indifference to his health and living situation over the prior year, she, in no way, should ever be considered as a viable candidate to serve as a court-appointed fiduciary."
King filed her petition to be appointed as Allman's conservator earlier this month. In previous court documents obtained by Us Weekly, she claimed that Cher has been estranged from her son for years and that the singer's involvement with Elijah's affairs contradicts his wishes.
The conservatorship battle has a complex history. Cher first filed for a conservatorship of Elijah's estate in 2023, citing mental health and substance abuse struggles. A judge denied that initial petition in January 2024 after determining that Elijah had managed his finances, maintained an apartment, and remained drug-free through several drug tests.
The singer refiled her request earlier this year, but the petition was dismissed without prejudice in April. The dismissal allows Cher to file again at a later date, leaving the door open for continued legal proceedings over her son's care and financial management.
Representatives for King have not yet responded to requests for comment on Cher's latest court filing.