Cher has gone to court to file for conservatorship of her son, 47-year-old Elijah Blue Allman. The conservatorship would be temporary, and is based on what Cher states is her son’s continuing substance abuse struggles. She filed the petition in Los Angeles Superior Court, and is asking to be the only conservator of her son’s estate. She claims that he can’t safely or responsibly manage his own finances, due to both substance abuse and severe mental health problems.

Additionally, Cher’s petition makes the claim that the request is made out of love for her son, whom she shares with her late husband, Greg Allman. Her main concern is that any money Elijah receives will be spent on drugs, leaving him at risk and harming his overall well-being. He typically gets regular distributions from the Trust that is set up for him, but misuse of funds from those distributions have become a more serious concern in recent months.

It’s been reported that Cher is continuously working to try to get Elijah into treatment for his substance abuse, and also to get him help and support for the mental health problems he experiences. She has repeatedly stated that she only wants what’s best for her son, and that she isn’t trying to control his everyday life. Until he receives treatment and is better able to manage his own finances safely, though, she wants to take control of his assets to protect him.

Elijah’s struggles are not new, as he’s had issues with his mental health for some time. Those have led into substance abuse, which had been a point of contention for him and his mother throughout his adult life. With regular money coming to him from the Trust, he was able to spend his days in any way he wanted. Too often, that led to misuse of his funds to purchase substances, which caused his mental health conditions to worsen. Now, Cher is taking the next step in trying to protect him from himself, and get him the support and care he needs to move past this difficult time in his life.

Estate planning helps you manage and secure your assets while you are alive. Careful planning can save money on court costs and reduce the anxiety surrounding your estate so that you can enjoy your life and focus on your family. Contact The Estate Planning & Legacy Law Center today!