Britney Spears’ 13-year conservatorship neared an end on Wednesday, Sept 29, after a judge suspended her father’s conservatorship, and the pop superstar afterward declared she was “on cloud 9 right now.”
Judge Brenda Penny of the Los Angeles Superior Court suspended Jamie Spears as conservator of the singer’s estate in a pivotal, dramatic hearing. The decision comes months after the pop diva made a public accusation of abuse against her father.
“I do believe that the suspension of James Spears as conservator … is in the best interest of the conservatee,” Judge Penny said. “This order shall be made in full force and effect.”
Jamie will be temporarily replaced by certified public accountant John Zabel. Jodi Montgomery, however, Britney’s personal conservator, is still on the job.
Judge Penny said, “Mr. Spears is ordered to turn over all the conservatorship assets.”
Britney’s lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, has stated that the conservatorship should be dissolved by the end of the year. That might happen on Nov. 12, when Judge Penny will consider a request to end the entire case.
According to CNN, this is what Rosengart said to the reporters after court, “It’s been a lot of hard work, it’s been intense. I’m proud, Britney’s proud.” He further said, “I think the support of the #FreeBritney movement has been instrumental. To the extent that it allowed my firm to carry the ball across the finish line, I thank them as well.”
Following the judge’s decision, the “Stronger” singer shared a video on Instagram of herself seated next to a pilot in the cockpit of a small plane, handling the controls.
“First time flying a plane and first time in a prop plane !!! Geez I was scared,” she wrote, without mentioning the conservatorship.
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Before the hearing, dozens of fans gathered outside the courtroom, many holding colourful banners with messages like “Jail Jamie” and the familiar “Free Britney” request that has been taken up by her fans all over the world on social media.
On Instagram, Spears’ fiancee, Sam Asghari, expressed his displeasure with the decision “BRITNEY, GET OUT OF HERE! MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!” along with a photo of him giving the singer what appears to be a rose.
Rosengart claimed Jamie had abused Britney since she was a youngster, and he repeated charges that he had secretly videotaped Britney in private moments with her sons and her boyfriend, which the attorney described as “unfathomable.” He sought Jamie’s immediate suspension rather than the conservatorship’s revocation, citing numerous reasons why this is in Britney’s best interests.
Britney Spears freed from her dad’s controlling conservatorship #trending #wavefm https://t.co/LYypnH39DZ pic.twitter.com/cgKQCs0puQ
— Wave FM (@965Wave) September 30, 2021
Jamie Spears had been in control of his daughter’s business activities since 2008 when she suffered a mental breakdown, and he put in place a broad, court-approved conservatorship. Britney Spears’ mental health has never been discussed publicly.
The singer’s phone and bedroom were allegedly bugged by security staff working for her father, according to a New York Times documentary broadcast last week. According to a former security staffer, her conversations with friends, her children, and her previous lawyer were all recorded.
Rosengart said he expects a smooth transition, with the conservatorship coming to a halt by the end of the year. He informed the judge, “It’s straightforward, it’s reasonable, it’s fair, it’s just.”
Meanwhile, Jamie’s attorneys ironically have requested that the conservatorship be lifted today. Despite Britney’s desire for such a result, in the long run, quick termination would clear her father of any potential offenses because communications with attorneys concerning the conservatorship over the last 13 years would stay privileged.
Because he wouldn’t have to turn over records to the court, the elder Spears would be free for another $1 million.
The #FreeBritney campaign began years ago, with followers protesting that the singer was being held in conservatorship against her will. Britney confirmed this in June when she spoke in front of a judge in open court, pleading with the judge to end the case without a medical evaluation.
“My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship, including my management … they should be in jail,” Britney said, comparing her father to a sex trafficker. Despite wanting children with Asghari, the singer claimed she was forced to use birth control. The popstar also lashed out against “Jamie Lynn,” her sister, after sending toys to her kids.
She also claimed, among other things, that doctors put her on Lithium against her will and that she was compelled to enter a mental health facility.
Britney Spears announced her engagement to Sam Asghari, her 27-year-old personal trainer boyfriend, two weeks ago. After signing a pre-nuptial agreement, the couple hopes to marry.
After Britney’s astounding 24-minute testimony, the fallout within the conservatorship was rapid. Her court-appointed counsel, Samuel Ingham, has filed paperwork to have her case dismissed. The singer’s longtime manager, Larry Rudolph, quit. Bessemer Trust, the wealth management firm that was supposed to take over as co-conservator of her estate alongside Jamie resigned. Jamie, on the other hand, remained.
Click here to read an insightful article on Britney’s case proceedings.
