If you pay attention to pop culture news, you probably heard the rumors about Britney Spears’ conservatorship resurface.
A conservatorship is “a legal status to which a court appoints a person to manage an incapacitated or incompetent individual’s or minor’s financial affairs.” In February of 2008, after mental health hospitalizations and a custody battle, courts placed Britney in the same conservatorship she’s now trying to reverse.
A recent documentary highlighted Britney’s hardships under her conservatorship, and now, people are advocating for her. They’re also voicing disdain for her father, who oversaw Britney’s financial and personal decisions for years. In June, Britney attended a court hearing and exposed the trauma she endured from being trapped in the conservatorship. Then, the #FreeBritney buzz ramped up.
Spokespeople for Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, allege that he plays no role in Britney Spears’ financial decisions and wellbeing.
Jamie states that Britney’s temporary conservator, Jodi Montgomery, oversees Britney’s life decisions and says that Britney wants Montgomery to remain in charge permanently.
However, who is in charge of each of Britney’s affairs remains a mystery.
Jodi took over when Jamie Spears endured a health crisis in 2019, but some sources report that Jamie reclaimed control of Britney’s finances. Jamie himself reports that he currently has no control over his daughter’s affairs. On the contrary, during her June hearing, Britney claimed that others forced her into performing, psychiatric evaluations, prescription medications, and relentless working conditions for years on end. She stated that she fears that if she tells the truth about her experiences, then people won’t believe her.
The Supreme Court of Los Angeles denied the request to remove Britney’s father as conservator. They didn’t disclose their reasoning.
However, at Britney’s next hearing on July 14, she can try to dispute their decision. Britney alleges that she didn’t know that she could petition for her father to no longer manage her conservatorship.
Britney’s legal drama is just one part of a years-long saga that’s full of twists and turns. As with most celebrity stories, we’re only privy to a small amount of what happens behind the scenes. Still, no matter what happens, we all want Britney to be happy, healthy, and safe. The court needs to #FreeBritney.
Featured Photo via Google Creative Commons Britney Spears
Conservatorships are different from a power of attorney in that the individual does not comply willingly. You and the proposed conservatee enter court proceedings that strip away decisions of their health care, financial affairs, and more.