Jay Leno filed for conservatorship of his wife's estate at the Stanley Musk Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday.
According to court documents obtained by NBC News, Leno's wife, Mavis Leno, suffers from dementia and is unable to carry out an estate plan.
“Unfortunately, Mavis has been gradually losing her ability and orientation to space and time over the years,” the petition for conservatorship reads.
The petition seeks the court's approval of the alternative judgment to approve estate planning and to implement a probate plan that Leno believes his wife will carry out if she is competent.
“Because Mavis's current condition makes it impossible to carry out an estate plan, Jay has petitioned the court to appoint Mavis as conservator of the estate for the purpose of filing a petition for summary judgment on her behalf. Her wishes to dispose of her assets upon her death will be fulfilled.
The couple had been together for more than 43 years and Leno had always handled the couple's finances during that time, the petition said. They have no children.
Court documents say Leno believes his wife agrees to be the conservator of his estate and does not want anyone else to replace her as conservator.
The case will be heard again on April 9.
