Brian Wilson's family speaks out on conservatorship filing amid 'major neurocognitive disorder'
Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson's family has filed to put him under a conservatorship.
LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers filed paperwork to Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday to become Wilson's co-conservators, court records viewed by USA TODAY show.
The 81-year-old Beach Boys co-founder and mastermind has a “major neurocognitive disorder” and is taking medication for dementia, according to a doctor’s declaration filed with the petition.
The petition asks a judge to appoint two longtime Wilson representatives — publicist Jean Sievers and manager LeeAnn Hard — to be conservators overseeing his personal and medical decisions because “Mr. Wilson is unable to properly provide for his own personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.”
The two women “have had a close relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson for many years, and Mr. Wilson trusts them,” according to the filing.
His wife Melinda Ledbetter — who he credited with stabilizing his famously troubled life — had managed his daily needs before her death on Jan. 30, the petition says.
"Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person," the family shared in a statement on Instagram Thursday.
Ledbetter died on Jan. 30 at age 77.
The Beach Boys singer's family added that "there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family."
"Brian will be able to enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses," the statement concluded.
An appointment hearing for Hard and Sievers is scheduled for April 26, court records show.
Judges in California can appoint a conservator for the person, their finances — referred to as the estate — or both, as was the case with Britney Spears, whose court fight brought broad new attention to the legal standing.
The Wilson petition seeks only a conservatorship of his person, saying he does not need a conservator of the estate because his assets are in a trust, with Hard as a trustee.
Deeply revered and acclaimed as a member, producer, arranger and chief songwriter of the Beach Boys, Wilson struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues that upended his career in the 1960s.
He met Ledbetter when he was a customer at a car dealership where she was working in the mid-1980s. At the time, Wilson had for years been under the close supervision of psychologist Dr. Eugene Landy.
Ledbetter and others believed Landy was exploiting and mistreating Wilson, and feuded with Landy for years before he was barred in 1992 from any contact with Wilson.
Wilson's wife of 28 years died last month, the singer revealed on Instagram. Their 29th anniversary would have been on Feb. 6.
Beach Boys singer Brian Wilsonmourns death of wife Melinda Ledbetter: 'She was my savior'
“My heart is broken," Wilson wrote at the time. "Our five children and I are just in tears. We are lost. Melinda was more than my wife. She was my savior. She gave me the emotional security I needed to have a career."
The Grammy-winning artist added: "She encouraged me to make the music that was closest to my heart. She was my anchor. She was everything for us."
Wilson and his wife adopted five children — Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash — during their marriage. The singer also had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, from his previous marriage to Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford.
Contributing: Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
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