Britney Spears ‘could ask to end conservatorship if she wanted’, according to her father
Jamie Spears, Britney’s dad, has reportedly had a leg amputated. (Chris Farina/Corbis via Getty Images)
Britney Spears could request to end her conservatorship at “any time”, her father Jamie Spears has claimed.
Since 2008, the “Toxic” singer has been under a legal arrangement that sees her well-being and financial affairs, among other things, placed under the control of Jamie and other court-appointed figures and bodies.
But Britney could have asked at “any time” to end her conservatorship, Jamie’s attorney Vivian L Thoreen told PEOPLE.
“Any time Britney wants to end her conservatorship, she can ask her lawyer to file a petition to terminate it; she has always had this right, but in 13 years has never exercised it,” the Holland & Knight LLP lawyer told the outlet.
“Britney knows that her daddy loves her, and that he will be there for her whenever and if she needs him, just as he always has been — conservatorship or not.”
Thoreen added that Jamie Spears has “diligently and professionally carried out his duties as one of Britney’s conservators, and his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is clearly apparent to the court”.
Above all, she added, Jamie’s goal has “always been to do what’s best for Britney”.
Thoreen cited that Jamie’s stewardship of Britney’s career has transformed her finances. In 2018 the star’s assets were worth $2.8 million and she was in debt, she said – now they are worth nearly $60 million.
From celebrities to congress members, countless call to free Britney Spears
After temporarily stepping down due to health reasons, Britney Spears sought to stop her father from being re-installed as her conservator last year. It was a fight she lost, however a judge granted her request to install a corporate fiduciary as co-conservator.
Through her legal counsel at the time, Britney said she was “afraid” of her father and vowed to never perform again while he is.
The courts named Jamie as the permanent conservator of her person and attorney Andrew Wallet the permanent co-conservator of her estate in 2008. Wallet left the position in 2019, leaving Jamie as sole conservator.
Jamie briefly stepped down later that year due to ill-health, with Jodi Montgomery temporarily put in control.
Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears leaves the Los Angeles County Superior courthouse on March 10, 2008. (VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
After the release of Framing Britney Spears, Jamie has faced ever-increasing scrutiny from fans, celebrities and even lawmakers.
House Republicans are even urging one of Congress’ most powerful and influential committees to hold a hearing on court-ordered guardianships.
Florida representative Matt Gaetz is calling on the House Judiciary Committee, a powerful panel that oversees the federal courts and the Constitution, to free Britney.
“In recent years, there has been growing public concern about the use of conservatorships to effectively deprive individuals of personal freedoms at the behest of others through the manipulation of the courts,” he wrote in a letter.
“The most striking example is perhaps the case of multi-platinum performing artist Britney Spears.”
