The Latest Development In Britney Spears' Conservatorship Case Explained
It has been 12 long years since singer Britney Spears' conservatorship was put in place (via Harper's Bazaar). According to CBS News, this means the star's dad, Jamie Spears, has in part been controlling both his 39-year-old daughter's career, and her money — even her health care (via Cheat Sheet). The outlet notes what has been widely-reported — that the famous mom of two does not want her father to be her conservator. It has even been noted that Spears no longer wishes to perform as long as her father controls her situation.
Most recently, a court decided Jamie will remain a co-conservator over the star's estate along with Bessemer Trust (via Page Six). ET notes the two will share equal power over the estimated $115 million fortune of the singer (via Celebrity Net Worth).
Several interesting developments also took place during the latest hearing, with Spears' father's attorney arguing he should retain some power that he was able to exercise upon becoming the sole conservator of the estate in 2019.
Many twists and turns that have characterized Britney Spears' conservatorship
Two years ago is when the prior co-conservator, Andrew Wallet, stepped down after he asked for a raise in compensation (via Bustle). As Britney's Gram podcast host Tess Barker said, "It didn't seem that being someone's conservator should be a for-profit position." The singer also canceled her second Las Vegas residency, another factor that allegedly led to Wallet resigning from his role.
Since that time, Jamie has served as the co-conservator, with one notable gap. In September of 2019, he was suffering from health issues, and the "Toxic" singer's care manager, Jodi Montgomery, filled in for him as a co-conservator, according to the New York Post. Apparently, Spears prefers Montgomery over her father to oversee her affairs.
Britney Spears would prefer if her father was not involved
In November of last year, Spears had asked for her father to be removed completely from his role, according to Variety. This is a position her many fans — who have popularized the hashtag #FreeBritney — agree with.
It's important to note Jamie will not be given more power over the estate at this time, despite a petition filed by his lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, per ET. For the time being, Spears' lawyer, Samuel Ingham, said on Thursday, "Mr. Spears should not retain the ability to pull the plug and hand the investments to somebody else. He agreed to work with Bessemer and I think that they should be able to work together to figure this out." He called Jamie's removal from the legal arrangement "a separate issue."
CBS News reports the next hearing in her case will happen on March 17. For now, the conservatorship will remain in place until September of this year.