James Spears, pop star Britney Spears’s father, filed a legal petition Tuesday asking a California court for an end to his daughter’s conservatorship, which he has overseen for more than 13 years.
The petition, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, follows Spears’s recent declaration he would be willing to step away from his role as conservator of his daughter’s estate under certain conditions. The filing said she is “entitled” to have the court visit the matter of whether the conservatorship is necessary.
“The conservatorship has helped Ms. Spears get through a major life crisis, rehabilitate and advance her career, and put her finances and her affairs in order,” the court filing said, according to NBC News. “But recently, things have changed. Ms. Spears is now outspoken in her frustration with the level of control imposed by a conservatorship, and has pleaded with this Court to ‘let her have her life back.'”
BRITNEY SPEARS’S FATHER AGREES TO STEP DOWN AS CONSERVATOR
The petition also asserted 39-year-old Britney Spears’s circumstances have changed “to such an extent that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship may no longer exist.”
James Spears filed court documents on Aug. 12 to say he would eventually step down as conservator of his daughter’s estate. He did not indicate a time frame for the move and argued he should not be immediately removed, saying his 13 years of experience and knowledge should be shared with whoever succeeds him. That filing also said conditions must meet his expectations for him to agree to step aside.
Britney Spears’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, called Tuesday’s development a “vindication” and accused his client’s father of “inappropriately” sending out Tuesday’s petition to the media before it was properly served to him and his team.
“It appears that Mr. Spears believes he can try to avoid accountability and justice, including sitting for a sworn deposition and answering other discovery under oath, but as we assess his filing — which was inappropriately sent to the media before it was served on counsel — we will also continue to explore all options,” Rosengart said in a statement.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Rosengart for comment.
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James Spear has served as conservator of his daughter’s estate since 2008. Britney Spear’s caregiver, Jodi Montgomery, temporarily took charge of the singer’s personal affairs in 2019, with the elder Spears stepping back, citing health issues.
Britney Spears later requested the change be made permanent.
The battle between Britney and James Spears over her roughly $60 million fortune and day-to-day life has been subject to significant public and media attention in recent months, especially in light of Britney asserting in court testimony in June the conservatorship was “abusive” and controlling.
The “Free Britney” movement emerged out of the dispute, with supporters demonstrating and chiming in online. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have also expressed support for the pop star’s cause.
