LOS ANGELES — Late-night television talk show legend Jay Leno has filed for conservatorship over his wife because she is suffering from dementia.
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According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight , Leno, 73, filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The petition requests that Leno be made the conservator for 77-year-old Mavis Leno so he can structure her living trust and other estate plans.
Read More Documents state that Jay Leno “wishes to create a trust to hold each of his and Mavis’ one-half interest in their community property, in order to ensure Mavis has managed assets sufficient to provide for her care” in case he dies before her.
A hearing is scheduled for April 9, USA Today reported.
“Unfortunately, Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years,” the filing states, according to the newspaper.
Mavis Leno “suffers from dementia, major neurocognitive disorder,” her physician wrote in a doctor’s capacity declaration.
It is unclear when Mavis Leno, who has been married to the late-night host for 43 years, was diagnosed with dementia, Entertainment Tonight reported.
Jay Leno, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times .
The Lenos, who live in Beverly Hills, California, do not have children, the newspaper reported.
[ Jay Leno breaks bones in motorcycle crash months after garage fire ]
“Jay Leno has always handled the couple’s finances through the term of their 43-year marriage, and will continue to do so until his passing,” the petition stated.
The estate plan will also provide for Mavis Leno’s brother, who is “her sole living heir aside from Jay,” according to CBS News .
The couple met at Los Angeles’ Comedy Store in 1976, the Times reported.
“I always had this idea that I would never get married,” Mavis Leno told People magazine in a 1987 interview. “But with Jay, I began to realize that this was the first time I was ever with someone where I had a perfect, calm sense of having arrived at my destination.”
In an interview with People in 2019, Jay Leno said “I always tell guys when they meet a woman, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be and it works out OK.’”
Through the years LOS ANGELES - MAY 10: "The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Show" featuring (from left) Marilyn McCoo, Jay Leno and Billy Davis, Jr. during a comedy skit, May 10, 1977. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Through the years APRIL 5: Jay Leno, one of the stars of "American Hot Wax," poses for a portrait, April 5, 1978. (Photo by Bill Curtis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Jay Leno and Arnesio Hall sighted on January 15, 1981 at the Improv in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - "Do the Carmine" - Airdate: March 13, 1983. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
DAVID L. LANDER;EDDIE MEKKA;JAY LENO (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Through the years 31 Jan 1993: Humorist Jay Leno (center) entertains the Buffalo Bills fans during the Super Bowl XXVII pre-game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /All (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Through the years Julie Cardoza puts one of her parrots on the shoulder of Jay Leno, on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC Studios in Burbank, CA., July 31, 2001. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years Comedian and talk show host Jay Leno speaks at a hand and footprint ceremony honoring actor Nicolas Cage August 14, 2001 at the famous Grauman''s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years Tim Allen donated the '56 Chevy Nomad used in his sitcom "Home Improvement" to E-Bay's "Auction for America" on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles, Ca. October 4, 2001. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years ''Tonight Show'' Host Jay Leno attends Love Ride 18, the yearly motorcycle cruise and concert to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association November 11, 2001 in Glendale, CA. (Photo by Jason Kirk/Getty Images) (Jason Kirk/Getty Images)
Through the years Julie Scardina from SeaWorld and south american sloths on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. Thursday, June 13, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years BURBANK, CA - FEBRUARY 4: TV's "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin (L) wraps an anaconda snake around host Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC studios February 4, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years BURBANK, CA - OCTOBER 10: Mad Scientist David Willey appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios October 10, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, CA - NOVEMBER 9: Actress Angie Everhart, comedian Jay Leno and musician Dusty Hill pose backstage at the Love Ride 20 at Harley-Davidson/Buell of Glendale November 9, 2003 in Glendale, California. The yearly motorcycle cruise and concert hosted by Grand Marshal Jay Leno benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Reading by 9 and other charities. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images) (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - MARCH 26: Talk Show host Jay Leno makes an appearance at Barnes & Noble to promote his new childrens book "If Roast Beef Could Fly" March 26, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Through the years SANTA MONICA, CA - AUGUST 28: Host Jay Leno stands by his Mercedes SLR during the Robb Report's "Best of the Best" at Hangar Eight on August 28, 2004 in Santa Monica, California. The event benefits "The Childen's Lifesaving Foundation." (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images). (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Through the years BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 27 - In this handout photo provided by NBC, Jay Leno and Oprah Winfrey celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tonight Show with a cake commemorating its hosts from past and present (Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.) (Photo by NBC/Paul Drinkwater via Getty Images.) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years BURBANK, CA - JANUARY 3: In this NBC Entertainment handout, "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" host Jay Leno looks on as actor Dustin Hoffman signs a Harley-Davidson motorcycle January 3, 2005 in Burbank California. Leno annouced on the show that he will have guests sign the motorcycle which will be auctioned off, proceeds from which will benefit the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. (Photo by NBC Entertainment via Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 1: Actor Tom Hanks and talk show host Jay Leno arrive at Saks Fifth Avenue's Unforgettable Evening at the Regent Beverly Wilshire on March 1, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years DAYTONA BEACH , FL - FEBRUARY 19: TV host Jay Leno drives the pace car during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Daytona 500 on February 19, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 28: Actor Jerry Seinfeld (L) and talk show host Jay Leno pose at the premiere of DreamWorks Animation's "Bee Movie" at the Mann Village Theatre on October 28, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD - APRIL 21: Actor Hugh Jackman (R) is congratulated by talk show host Jay Leno at the hand and footprint ceremony honoring Jackman in the forecourt of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 21, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Jay Leno (R) kisses the kind of actress Betty White during the American Women in Radio and Television 2010 Genii Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center on April 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Through the years BURBANK, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Actor Billy Crystal (L) and comedian Jay Leno appear onstage during a commercial break on the final episode of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at The Burbank Studios on February 6, 2014 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Event host Jay Leno is interviewed by George at Champions for Children's at Seaport World Trade Center on November 29, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for Boston's Children Hospital) (Darren McCollester)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Lydia Fenet and Jay Leno host the auction during the 20th Anniversary Gala to celebrate Hudson River Park at Pier 60 on October 11, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Pa)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Jay Leno attends a benefit for WeSPARK Cancer Support Center at Skirball Cultural Center on October 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)