As Columbo, Peter Falk's unassuming bumbling was just a front, and the beloved police lieutenant was sure to come back at the end of the show to ensnare the killer in a moment of incisive brilliance. In life, the dementia the 81-year-old actor suffers appears irreversible, and his adopted daughter and wife are locked in a court battle for control over the ailing star.
In a hearing Wednesday, daughter Catherine Falk described life-long tensions between Falk's children and his wife of more than 30 years, Shera Denise Falk. Catherine said she filed the petition requesting that she be made conservator of her father because his wife would not allow her to visit or speak to him since his hip replacement surgery last year. Shera Falk has contended in court papers that Catherine is estranged from her father, and questioned her motive in filing for a conservatorship.
Probate Judge Aviva Bobb indicated Wednesday she was inclined to hand his wife control of the actor's life, but said she felt measures were needed to ensure the daughter would be allowed to see her father. Peter Falk did not attend the hearing.
In lengthy testimony that lasted about four hours, Catherine Falk recounted how growing up, Peter Falk was a loving father whose affection was limited by his new wife.
Catherine, who was adopted at birth by Falk and his first wife, said she lived with her mother following the couple's divorce. She said Shera Falk repeatedly slammed the door on her and her sister when they tried to visit Peter Falk at his home. She said she maintained a good relationship with her father, despite a falling-out over a legal dispute about paying for her education.
Beginning in 2008, Falk began forgetting conversations and asking her to repeat things, his daughter testified. After his surgery in June, she became increasingly concerned about how her father was being treated, but Shera refused to allow her to see or speak to her father, she testified. Catherine Falk filed a petition for conservatorship in December.
Catherine visited her father in February in a court-ordered supervised visit where a flock of attorneys were present. She testified that he appeared healthy and was more coherent than she had expected. When she asked him if he recognized her, he replied, "I want to," Catherine told the judge.
"I'm not expecting anything or hoping for a miracle, just to be next to him," she said.
Shera Falk's attorney, in cross examination, questioned Catherine about her interest in her father's estate.
"There is certainly concern about finances on the part of Catherine," said Shera Falk's attorney, Marshal Oldman, after the hearing. "Whether that's the primary motive, we'll let the court decide."
The hearing is expected to resume Monday, when Oldman said he would call Shera Falk to testify.
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