Beach Boys' Brian Wilson to be placed in conservatorship, judge rules
Amid his battle with a "major neurocognitive disorder," The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson has been placed under a conservatorship, a judge ruled Thursday.
Judge Gus T. May approved the guardianship during a hearing Thursday morning, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court website.
"The court finds from clear and convincing evidence that a conservatorship of the person is necessary and appropriate in that (Wilson) is unable to care for (his) person," a minute order from the hearing reads. "The conservatorship is the least restrictive alternative needed for the protection of conservatee."
Wilson did not object to the conservatorship, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
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Wilson's longtime manager LeeAnn Hard and publicist Jean Sievers, who filed the conservatorship, were named his conservators.
Regarding Wilson’s medical care, Hard and Sievers have been granted the authority to "authorize the administration of medications appropriate for the care and treatment" of the musician's neurocognitive disorder, per the minute order. The representatives must consult with Wilson's children on "all material related healthcare decisions" for their father.
USA TODAY has reached out to Sievers for comment on the conservatorship ruling.
Family of Brian Wilson speaks out on conservatorship filing
Hard and Sievers filed paperwork to Los Angeles Superior Court in February to become Wilson's co-conservators, court records reviewed by USA TODAY at the time showed. According to the filing, the 81-year-old Beach Boys co-founder was also taking medication for dementia, per a doctor's declaration filed with the petition.
The petition requested for the manager and publicist to be appointed Wilson's conservators to oversee 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."
Wilson's late wife Melinda Ledbetter — who he credited with stabilizing his famously troubled life — had managed his daily needs before her death in January, the petition read.
The singer's family expressed their approval of the proposed conservatorship in a statement shared on social media at the time, adding that there would be "no extreme changes to the household."
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"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.
"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.
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys placed in conservatorship, judge rules
