Britney Spears conservatorship: What is it and how does it work?
BRITNEY Spears was placed under a conservatorship back in 2008 after concerns were raised over her mental health, giving Dad Jamie control over her assets, career and personal life.
Despite initially fighting for it to remain in place, Britney's father Jamie filed to end the 13-year conservatorship in September 2021.
Who are Britney Spears' conservators?
Britney's main conservator is her father Jamie Spears.
As of September 8, 2021, he's still in control of her assets alongside financial company Bessemer Trust - but he's filed to change this.
In papers submitted to a Los Angeles Court, Jamie wrote that daughter Britney "is entitled to have this court now seriously consider whether this conservatorship is no longer required."
The petition also says that "If Ms Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr Spears believes that she should get that chance."
It's a huge win for troubled singer Britney, who branded the arrangement "abuse" and has repeatedly sought to bring it to an end.
Despite the claims of cruelty towards his daughter, Jamie Spears, 69, added in the petition that "all he wants is what is best for his daughter" and has always denied abusing and exploiting the star.
What does conservatorship mean?
A conservatorship is a form of legal guardianship.
It grants a chosen individual full authority over another's life and assets.
The conservator typically holds the same rights and responsibilities as a parent would over a child.
It is typically enacted for individuals who are incapable of making their own decisions.
How does Britney Spears' conservatorship work?
Britney's conservatorship was implemented in 2008 after the star had a series of public meltdowns.
As mentioned, the arrangement puts her financial assets under the control of her father, Jamie.
On November 10, 2020 a court rejected an attempt by Britney to have her father removed as conservator of her estate.
The judge said she would consider future appeals for his dismissal or outright removal.
In June 2021, a judge once again denied the request for Britney's requested co-conservator, Bessemer Trust, to take sole control of her estate, reported TMZ.
The judge signed the order to keep her father in full control despite Britney's testimony in court in June 2021.
In September 2021, Jamie filed to end the conservatorship - but ultimately a judge will once again make the final decision.
What has Britney said about the conservatorship?
Britney has compared her "abusive" conservatorship to sex trafficking as she spoke out in June 2021 for the first time since her public breakdown in 2007.
“In , the only similar thing to this is called sex trafficking, making anyone work against their will," she said.
"And taking all their possessions away, credit card, cash, phone, passport."
The singer addressed a court room by video as her dad, Jamie, and mom, Lynn, also joined in.
During the hearing, argued her father should no longer have control over her life.
She made a number of other shocking claims including that
Also during the hearing, Britney said she wants to marry and take out her IUD to have another baby
What did Britney's father have to say about the conservatorship?
In August 2020, Jamie said that Britney's conservatorship is and #FreeBritney movement "is a joke".
He told : "All these conspiracy theorists don't know anything. The world don't have a clue.
"It's up to the court of California to decide what's best for my daughter. It's no one else's business."
He also denied he was taking money from Britney's estate.
"I have to report every nickel and dime spent to the court every year," he told .
"How the hell would I steal something?"
What did Britney's sister Jamie Lynn Spears say?
Jamie Lynn had been for her alleged role in keeping , 39, under the “abusive” court order and for remaining silent when .
She decided to break her silence and speak out on the matter in a series of Instagram Story videos.
The Sweet Magnolias actress told fans that she didn't think it was her "place" to say anything until Britney had had her chance to speak.
She shared in the video: “But now that she’s very clearly spoken and said what she needed to say, I feel like I can follow her lead and say what I need to say.”
Jamie Lynn continued: ”I think it's extremely clear that since the day I was born I've only loved and adored and supported my sister.
“I mean, this is my freakin' big sister before any of this bulls***.
“I don't care if she wants to run away to the rainforest and have a zillion babies in the middle of nowhere, or if she wants to come back and dominate the world the way she has so many times before.”
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She went on to explain that when it comes to the conservatorship, she has “nothing to gain or lose either way” and that she’s “only concerned about [Britney’s] happiness."
Choking back tears, Jamie Lynn continued: ”I’ve made a very conscious choice in my life to only participate in her life as her sister.
“Maybe I didn't support her the way the public would like me to with a hashtag on a public platform, but I can assure I have supported my sister long before there was a hashtag, and I'll support her long after. Note that.”