Jay Leno was granted custody of his wife's estate after she was diagnosed with dementia

Former late-night talk show host Jay Leno has been granted custody of his wife's estate after it was revealed that she suffers from dementia.

Leno, 73, is “suitable and qualified” to serve as conservator of Mavis Leno's estate, according to court documents filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

He first filed for guardianship in January. Mavis, 77, Leno “has been gradually losing her ability and orientation to space and time for several years,” the petition said.

Last week, a court-appointed attorney recommended granting Leno's request, saying his wife “sometimes does not know her husband, Jay, or her date of birth.”

The attorney, who spoke with Mavis Leno and her doctor, said in a lawsuit that she experiences “a lot of confusion” and “will think about her parents who passed away.”

The attorney said Leno and his wife “have a long-standing, loving and supportive relationship” and that Leno's plea was necessary to protect them.

The former host of “The Tonight Show” and his wife have been together for over 43 years. Throughout that time, Leno always took care of his finances, the petition filed in January said. The couple does not have any children.