Brian Wilson was placed in the conservative position as daughters gain consultation rights

Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson was placed under guardianship Thursday, to be run by his longtime publicist and manager Gene Shivers and his longtime business manager Lee Ann Hardt. Representatives revealed in a report filed last February that Wilson is suffering from dementia at the age of 81.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gus T. May granted the petition after finding that Wilson lives with a “major neurocognitive disorder” and needs the assistance as the least restrictive way to address his needs. The judge also added two lines to his final ruling after hearing from a lawyer representing Wilson's two oldest children – Wilson and Phillips musicians Carnie Wilson Bonfiglio and Wendy Wilson Knutson.

The daughters requested that “any of Brian's children who wish to be added will be added to the text chain from his nurses providing updates on Brian,” their lawyer Justin Gold told the court. They also asked that conservators be required to “consult” with them and their siblings “on all material related to health care decisions.”

The conservatorship only covers Wilson's personal and medical affairs, not his property. His financial assets are held in a trust, with Hard listed as trustee as well as Wilson's power of attorney. “Mr. Wilson will remain in his home and it is the intention of Ms. Sievers and Ms. Hard to ensure that all of Mr. Wilson's daily living needs are met and that he receives the best possible care while he remains at home,” it was filed. the report.said in February.

More details about Wilson's condition were included in a status statement. He said Wilson, the writer behind dozens of Top 40 hits including “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda” and “Good Vibrations,” would have found it “emotionally very stressful” as well as physically difficult to attend any hearing. personally. “He is easily distracted” and “often makes spontaneous irrelevant or incoherent statements,” said the statement by Dr. Stephen S. Marmer, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine.

Wilson also has “a very short attention span and while unintentionally disturbing, often fails to maintain the decorum appropriate to the situation,” the doctor told the court, adding that Wilson takes a drug called Aricept to treat his dementia. The doctor said Wilson has trouble following directions, except when he's taking voice lessons or during physical therapy. “This is based on long-term muscle memory,” the doctor wrote.

Wilson's family in the past shared a statement on his website, confirming that the musician was in good hands following the death of his “beloved” wife. She said the conservatorship application was “consistent” with the couple's previous planning and that Wilson's seven children, his caretaker Gloria Ramos and his doctors all supported the move. They said the maintenance plan would “ensure” there would be no “extreme changes” to Wilson's daily routine.

“Brian and the children living in the home will be cared for and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful home team who have been around for many years helping to care for the family,” the statement said. “Brian will be able to enjoy all his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in whatever activities he chooses.”

Sievers said in a statement to Rolling rock that the “overwhelming outpouring of love and support for Brian” was appreciated. “While Brian has been diagnosed with dementia and is grieving the loss of his beloved wife Melinda, he is physically healthy and living a full life and is currently working on projects,” Sievers said. “As well as carers, we will ensure that all of Brian's daily living needs are met and that he continues to lead an active life.”

The conservator's report did not mention Wilson's years-long history of mental health issues, but he had previously referred to his struggles in public comments. During an interview with Larry King in 2004, Wilson and Melinda said that he had a form of schizoaffective disorder. He described having a “slight nervous breakdown” in the 1960s, hearing voices in his head and experiencing bouts of depression.

Through it all, he maintained his ability to write songs. Singing and writing offered him a respite from the voices, he said. After leaving the Beach Boys tour early in his career, Wilson continued to write. He later returned to performing live as a solo artist, and while he has toured consistently over the past few decades – including reuniting with the Beach Boys in 2012 – he has not appeared in concert since July 2022.

His music continues to attract devoted fans and fellow musicians alike. As Rolling Stone recently reported, a country album Wilson started in 1970 will be the subject of an upcoming documentary devoted in part to its completion.

“I got to visit and spend time with Brian a few days after his wife died,” says Jason Fine, Wilson's longtime friend who worked with Wilson on the documentary Long Promised Road. “He was sad, but typically stoic. We spent time watching clips of the Beatles concert on the top floor. He told me he'd like to take his mind off things and go to a Lakers game.”