The wedding announcement appeared in The Tennessean late last month.NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Actress Reese Witherspoon's mother has filed a petition of annulment to wipe out her husband's recent second marriage.
Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Witherspoon says in court documents filed May 8 that her husband John D. Witherspoon has taken a second wife, Tricianne Taylor, who may be taking advantage of his mental condition.
In the documents, Mrs. Witherspoon says the couple has been separated since 1996, but remains married.
In a court affidavit, Reese Witherspoon's mother Betty says when she "confronted [her] husband, he said he didn't know who Tricianne Taylor was, and that he did not remember getting married."
The court filings indicate the confrontation came after an announcement in The Tennessean last month of John Witherspoon's marriage to Taylor.
The April story of the marriage said Taylor has run a business in Murfreesboro.
Betty Witherspoon said in the affidavit that her husband "has an alcohol problem" and "I fear that he has early onset of dementia."
The filing also alleges John Witherspoon's new wife has tried to take out loans as Mrs. John Witherspoon, lives in his condo and has had him sign a new will.
Reese Witherspoon's parents have been prominent in Nashville medical circles.
Betty Witherspoon has been a nurse and college professor at Tennessee State University.
John Witherspoon is a longtime ear, nose and throat doctor with several offices in Middle Tennessee
Neither Reese Witherspoon nor her father has commented on the lawsuit.
*The Associated Press contributed to this report.
