Jay Leno is taking steps to handle his spouse’s affairs … within the type of a conservatorship.

The comic filed authorized docs Friday to turn into conservator of his spouse Mavis Leno‘s property … in keeping with court docket data.

A supply with direct data tells TMZ … Jay’s spouse suffers from Alzheimer’s illness.

The analysis, our supply says, is the premise of the conservatorship … which means Jay’s spouse might not have the wherewithal to handle herself.

We have seen Jay out in public with Mavis as not too long ago as November, once they had been photographed collectively at a comedy occasion in Los Angeles.

It is unclear when Jay’s spouse was recognized with Alzheimer’s — a progressive illness that begins with reminiscence loss and is the most typical sort of dementia.

Jay and Mavis have been collectively for many years … tying the knot means again in 1980 after assembly within the Seventies on the well-known Comedy Retailer in West Hollywood.

The couple doesn’t have any youngsters, a choice Mavis takes full credit score for. At 77, Mavis is 4 years older than Jay.