Cher files for conservatorship for son Elijah

Cher has filed for a conservatorship of her son Elijah Blue Allman due to his alleged substance abuse and mental health issues.

Court documents seen by the BBC claim Mr Allman, 47, is "substantially unable to manage his financial resources".

In the documents, lawyers for Cher say a conservator is "urgently needed" to protect his property and physical and mental health.

Cher's publicist has been approached for comment.

Mr Allman has not commented publicly on the legal filing. He recently posted the hashtag "#imprisonmentviaconservatorship" on an Instagram post.

A conservatorship is granted by a court for individuals who are unable to make their own decisions, like those with dementia or other mental illnesses.

It can be used to manage a person's financial affairs or personal affairs or both.

Mr Allman is due to receive assets from a trust before the end of the year.

The documents state he is entitled to regular payments from the trust set up by his late father, musician Gregg Allman.

The court papers, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, state Mr Allman is "currently unable to manage his assets due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues".

The filing adds: "Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from the trust, but given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues, [Cher] is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah's life at risk."

It says that Cher, 77, has "worked tirelessly to get Elijah into treatment and get him the help he needs".

A hearing for a temporary order is currently set for 5 January, with the hearing on a permanent order scheduled for 6 March.

The singer told People Magazine "that rumour is not true".

Cher was married to Greg Allman from 1975 to 1979. She was previously married to her former singing partner Sonny Bono from 1964 to 1975. She also has a child, Chaz Bono, from that relationship.

Britney Spears was released from a 13-year conservatorship in 2021.

Speaking at the time, she described the termination of the legal arrangement, which controlled many aspects of her life, as "the best day ever".