Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, the Detroit boxing icon who punched his way to world titles in five weight divisions, is now under his eldest son’s legal watch after a bruising family dispute over his care and finances spilled into probate court.
A probate hearing in Oakland County wrapped up this month with an order placing Hearns under both guardianship and conservatorship, handing responsibility for his personal and financial decisions to his son, Ronald Hearns. The move followed concerns raised by relatives and social-services workers about whether Hearns was being moved against his wishes and whether his money was being mishandled.
As reported by FOX 2 Detroit, Chief Probate Judge Pro Tempore Daniel A. O’Brien presided over a March 11 hearing that ended with Ronald being appointed both guardian and conservator. Attorneys in court said the decision was intended to cool off family infighting and to tackle tax and bankruptcy problems tied to Hearns’ estate. Lawyers also credited Hearns’ sons for working toward a resolution after the judge pushed them to come to terms…