Falk Fight

The family of Columbo star Peter Falk is set to head to court over control of the actor's affairs after it was revealed he is suffering from Alzheimer's.

Falk's wife of 32 years has filed court papers seeking to block the actor's adopted daughter from being appointed as her father's conservator, saying she had never had a good relationship with him.

Shera Falk filed her papers on Tuesday (local time) in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The move comes a week before a January 27 hearing on adopted daughter Catherine Falk's petition.

Catherine Falk filed papers on December 12, stating the veteran actor is no longer able to take care of himself because of his deteriorating health and that he should be placed under a conservatorship order to protect him.

In her court filing, Catherine Falk said her father, 81, suffers from Alzheimer's disease and dementia and requires "full-time custodial care for his health and safety."

She said the actor could "easily be deceived into transferring away property" and that a conservatorship would "protect Peter from fraud or undue influence."

However Shera Falk said in her reply that the court "need not take the drastic step of taking away Peter's rights under the guise of a conservatorship."

Her papers also stated if a conservatorship is deemed necessary, she should be appointed.

A further hearing has been scheduled for next month.

Born in New York in 1927, Falk began his acting career on Broadway in 1956, quickly coming to the attention of Hollywood studios.

He was twice nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar, playing a gangster in 1960's Murder Inc and 1961's Pocketful Of Miracles.