15 December 2009
Newsdesk
According to court documents, guardianship of Frances Bean Cobain, 17, has been awarded to Wendy O'Connor and Kimberly Dawn Cobain, the respective mother and sister of Frances’ late Nirvana frontman father Kurt Cobain.
The temporary guardianship of 17-year-old Frances was awarded on Friday (11.12.09), and although no reasons for the decision have been released, the change in custody arrangements follows a turbulent period in Courtney’s personal life.
In August, she was pictured looking gaunt and thin, sparking speculation she was using drugs again.
A lawyer for Wendy and Kimberly would only say the change was a "private family matter."
Courtney’s lawyer Keith Fink – who was not present in court for the hearing – said: "All I can tell you as Courtney's friend is she loves her daughter more than anything in the world.
“Courtney will no doubt do what is best for Frances and will surely take her teenage daughter's desires and feelings into consideration with respect to the legal guardian issue."
Although the guardianship is for both Frances’ personally and her financial well-being, her grandmother and aunt do not have power over the trust established after Kurt's death.
Courtney, 45, previously lost custody of Frances to Wendy in 2003 after she took an overdose and was subsequently arrested on drug related charges. She won back custody of Frances in 2005 after a lengthy court battle.
A hearing to appoint a general guardian for the teenager is pending.
