The world is waiting for Brian Wilson's relatives to take custody of him because of his health issues

The family of Brian Wilson has asked a court in Los Angeles to establish custody of The Beach Boys star.

According to court documents published by several US media outlets, the 81-year-old musician has been diagnosed with a dementia-like neurocognitive disorder.

That decision was made after the death of Wilson's wife Melinda in January.

The family said they made the decision after "careful thought and consultation" with Wilson himself, his doctors, his seven children and his maid.

A doctor quoted in the documents said Wilson is "easily distracted even when aware of his surroundings" and "often makes spontaneous inappropriate or incoherent statements." The singer is also "unable to properly care for his own needs for physical health, food, clothing and shelter," according to the statement.

At the time of writing, the BBC has not been able to independently verify the court documents, which were first reported by US website The Blast and later confirmed by People Magazine and The Wrap.

In a statement on Instagram, Wilson's family said: "This decision was made to prevent a drastic change in the household."

The musician will continue to live at home with his children, under the care of maid Gloria Ramos and her team, the statement continued.

"Brian will be able to enjoy the presence of his family and friends, continue to work on his current projects and participate in any events he chooses."

Second custody

Wilson is the co-founder and chief songwriter of The Beach Boys, a band that was part of the surge in surf-rock popularity in 1961 and gained a reputation for complex melodies and harmonies.

After hits like Surfin' USA, I Get Around and California Girls, the coming influence of The Beatles prompted Wilson to take the band in a more experimental, psychedelic direction. 1966 saw the release of his masterpiece album Pet Sounds, universally recognized as one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

However, the increasing use of drugs combined with the pressure to create ever more complex songs led to a nervous breakdown, and he began to avoid touring and public life.

Wilson was once under guardianship in the early 1990s because his family struggled to separate him from the controversial psychologist Eugene Landy, who they claimed had an "undue influence" on his life, music, and finances.

This case began with the revision of Wilson's will in 1989, in which Landy was named the primary heir, executor of up to 70% of his estate. By 1992, the North Court in Santa Monica ruled that Landy should be removed from Wilson's life and appointed an independent trustee with "specific and limited powers regarding the artist's affairs."

Since then, this matter has surely turned Melinda's life upside down. After her death last month, Wilson wrote on his website: "We are lost.