Witherspoon's mom seeks annulment for hubby

Reese Witherspoon's mother has filed a petition of annulment to wipe out her husband's recent second marriage, The Associated Press reports.

Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon says in court documents filed May 8 in Nashville that John Drake Witherspoon has taken a second wife who may be taking advantage of his mental condition.

The couple has been separated since 1996, but remains married and still attends family functions together, including their daughter's 2011 marriage.

The filing alleges John Witherspoon's new wife, Tricianne Taylor, has tried to take out loans as Mrs. John Witherspoon, lives in his condo, has had him sign a new will and drives a vehicle without permission from a family corporation run by Reese Witherspoon.

Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon, 63, a nurse at Vanderbilt University hospital, says she "loves her husband and does not want a divorce" after 42 years of marriage to the former ears-nose-throat doctor, 70.

She also says in the filing she "fears he may be suffering from early onset of dementia," and she has filed a restraining order to stop Taylor from converting any of the family's assets.