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Questions around why does Britney Spears have a conservatorship and why isn’t she free to make her own decisions about her body, career and life have come to the fore in recent years thanks to the tireless campaigning of the #FreeBritney movement.
She’s one of the biggest and best-selling female artists in the world. Yet for over a decade Britney Spears has been unable to make decisions for herself owing to a court agreement known as a conservatorship.
As the #FreeBritney movement gained mass support and international attention, the singer’s troubled personal life has been thrown back into the spotlight as a result of various documentaries about her and her conservatorship, such as the New York Times documentary Framing Britney.
Why does Britney Spears have a conservatorship?
Britney Spears was first placed under a conservatorship because her parents were concerned about her mental wellbeing.
In February 2008, Britney’s father Jamie Spears applied for an emergency temporary conservatorship for his daughter.
Jamie Spears (L) and his daughter Britney (second left) with Britney’s mom Lynne (far right). (Credit: Getty)
A conservatorship is a court-ordered arrangement under US law that deems a person unfit to make important personal, professional and financial decisions for themselves. They are often granted in circumstances where a person has dementia or other physical or mental disabilities which prevent them from making sound life decisions.
At the time, Britney was a patient at the UCLA medical centre and undergoing a three-day psychiatric evaluation. This was her second hospital visit that year, with Britney previously admitted on January 3 after refusing to return her two children to their father, ex-husband Kevin Federline.
This incident coupled with a series of public events which saw the singer shave her head and hit a photographer’s car with an umbrella, sparked concern about her mental welfare.
LA Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz approved the temporary conservatorship, appointing Jamie Spears as his daughter’s guardian. This was made up of two parts and gave him legal power over the star’s health care (1. her person) and control of her estate (2. finances). Which Forbes Magazine estimated as $60 million in 2021.
As the conservatorship is a legally binding agreement, any changes must be addressed and approved by the court.
How long has Britney been under a conservatorship?
Britney Spears has been under a conservatorship for 13 years.
The temporary conservatorship granted to her father in February 2008 was made permanent in September 2008. And Britney has been under the conservatorship ever since.
During this time Britney has been able to continue her music career – recording albums, touring the world and performing at a four-year Las Vegas residency. She also appeared as a guest judge on the X Factor USA in 2012.
Credit: Getty
However in January 2019, Britney announced she was taking an “indefinite work hiatus” after her father’s period of bad health.
“I want to be with my family at this time just like they have always been there for me,” she said in a statement.
In September 2019, Jamie Spears temporarily stepped down as her personal conservator due to his health issues. He was temporarily replaced by care professional Jodi Montgomery, who will stay on till at least September 2021.
Almost a year later, Britney’s attorney filed a petition that “strongly opposed” her father returning as sole conservator of her person once back to full health. A lawyer said that the popstar was “afraid of her father” and that she would not return to the stage as long as he retains control.
Is Britney free of her conservatorship?
No, Britney is currently still under a conservatorship. This is despite efforts the star has made to remove her dad as her conservator.
In November 2020, a judge declined to completely remove Jamie Spears from the agreement and extended her father’s financial conservatorship until September 2021. However, Britney’s dad will now have to share his responsibilities with new co-conservator the Bessemer Trust. This was seen as a small win for the star, with the private finance firm chosen by Britney’s lawyer Samuel Ingham.
In March this year Britney petitioned for care manager Jodi Montgomery to replace her dad permanently as her personal conservator. This would prevent Jamie from returning to manage her personal life, but would still see him remain in charge of her finances.
As part of the petition, Britney was required to give her view of the conservatorship – the first time she has publicly spoken about it in 13 years.
What has Britney said about her conservatorship?
Britney described her conservatorship as “abusive” in a 20-minute video appearance at the LA courthouse on 23 June 2021.
“I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m okay and I’m happy,” she said addressing past Instagram posts. “I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatised. I’m not happy. I can’t sleep. I’m so angry it’s insane. And I’m depressed. I cry every day.”
Britney said that she wanted to marry her long-term boyfriend Sam Asghari and have another baby. But that her conservator had stopped her removing her contraceptive device so she can’t get pregnant.
“I feel ganged up on and I feel bullied and I feel left out and alone,” she added. “I deserve to have the same rights as anybody does, by having a child, a family, any of those things.”
The 39-year-old also said that he been forced to take the drug lithium against her wishes which made her “feel drunk”. Lithium is a medicine prescribed to those diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Dad Jamie Spears responded to the claims via his legal team.
“He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain,” said his lawyer Vivian Thoreen in court. “Mr Spears loves his daughter, and he misses her very much.”
Britney made it clear that she wanted the conservatorship to end, but no legal rulings have been made on the decision as yet.
Britney Spears conservatorship: A timeline
1 February 2008
In January, the singer – who divorced from husband Kevin Federline in July 2007 – allegedly locked herself in a bathroom with her two kids. Refusing to return them to her ex, the police are called to intervene and Britney is sent to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation. Following further psychiatric holds, Britney’s parents file an emergency temporary conservatorship which is granted by Judge Reva Goetz in February.
28 October 2008
Eight months on, Britney’s temporary conservatorship becomes permanent with Judge Goetz allegedly stating that the agreement is “necessary and appropriate for the complexity of financial and business entities and [Britney] being susceptible to undue influence.”
Britney’s dad Jamie is named as sole conservator of her person. He shares power of Britney’s financial affairs with attorney Andrew Wallet, who is named as co-conservator.
Britney’s father Jamie Spears (Credit: Getty)
30 November 2008
A new MTV documentary titled Britney: For the Record airs in late November. Britney opens up on her present arrangement and appears visibly unhappy.
“If I wasn’t under the restraints I’m under right now, with all the lawyers and doctors and people analyzing me every day — if that wasn’t there, I’d feel so liberated,” she said. “When I tell them the way I feel, it’s like they hear but they’re really not listening … It’s like, it’s bad. I’m sad.”
April 2009
A restraining order is issued against Britney’s former manager Sam Lufti, prohibiting from seeing and making contact with the star for 3 years. The court hears that Sam conspired with Britney’s alleged boyfriend Adnan Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley to gain control of her financial assets. boyfriend Adnan is also received a restraining order a month prior.
Britney’s hairdresser Roberta Romero testifies that the singer told her she was scared of her manager. And Britney’s legal team argue the order is necessary for her protection. Whilst attorney Jon Eardley alleges that Jamie spears is ‘misusing’ his conservator role, portraying him as a negative influence in her life. They argue that the three of them were merely responding to her cry for help but Britney’s family disagree.
2009-2018
Over the next 9 years, the conservatorship is regularly reviewed and extended. Very little about the court-ordered arrangement is shared publicly despite updates behind the scenes.
Britney starts dating talent agent Jason Trawick in 2009, who later proposes to the star in 2012. Four months before the engagement he is added as co-conservator of her person. Though after a year-long engagement the two part ways and Jason resigns the position in January 2013, leaving Jamie as sole conservator of her person again.
According to the New York Times, Britney’s lawyer Samuel D. Ingham III files a petition to remove Jamie as conservator in 2014. His drinking and a “shopping list” of problems are logged by the star, yet Jamie’s position remained unchanged.
Another hearing was held in 2016 according to court documents seen by the same paper. Britney argues that the current arrangement gives “too much control” and that “she is ‘sick of being taken advantage of’”.
“She articulated she feels the conservatorship has become an oppressive and controlling tool against her,” a court investigator wrote in a report. She again requests the conservatorship to end at this time.
In the meantime, Britney continues to work releasing new albums and performing to audiences worldwide. She also appears in a 2-year Las Vega residency at the Planet Hollywood Hotel between 2014-2015. Which was extended for another two years, ending in December 2017.
4 January 2019
In early January, Britney announces that she is to take an indefinite leave from work after her dad “was hospitalised and nearly died”
“I am dedicating my focus and energy to care for my family,” she said, postponing her second planned Britney: Domination Vegas residency.
People Magazine report that Jamie was recovering from a life-threatening colon rupture that started in November 2018.
I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say. I will not be performing my new show Domination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/kHgFAVTjNA
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) January 4, 2019
March 2019
Attorney Andrew Wallet, who has been co-conservator of her estate since 2008, resigns from the role. This leaves Jamie as sole conservator of her personal and financial decisions.
April 2019
According to TMZ, Britney checks herself into a mental health facility. Her father’s health problems are cited as the reason for the 30 day visit.
“Britney was having a hard time dealing with her dad’s health issues,” a source close to the Spears family told Page Six. “Britney hasn’t been drinking or doing drugs or anything, she just has some very difficult emotional and mental health issues. She’s gone away to try to deal with her issues before they get worse.”
May 2019
During a closed-door hearing in May 2019, Britney tells the court that she was forced to go to the mental health facility against her will.
According to the New York Times, she reportedly saw it as punishment for objecting during a rehearsal for her Las Vegas residency. She also claimed that she was forced to perform against her will on occasion. This included once when she was ill with an 104 degree.
Britney on stage performing during her Las Vegas residency (Credit: Getty)
June 2019
Jamie Spears appears in court to testify against Britney’s former manager Sam Lufti. The Spears Family successfully acquire another restraining order against Sam that will last for five years.
US Weekly reports that during his evidence, Jamie was asked about the status of his relationship with Britney. “Me and my daughter’s relationship has always been strained,” Jamie responded.
August 2019
Kevin Federline accuses Jamie of having an altercation with his and Britney’s son, 13-year-old Sean Preston. Whilst no criminal charges were brought against him, Federline obtained a restraining order to keep Jamie away from his grandsons.
September 2019
Jamie temporarily resigns as conservator of Britney’s person – eight months after Britney cites her father’s bad health. The singer’s care manager Jodi Montgomery is appointed his temporary replacement until at least September 2021. Jamie remains on as conservator of her finances.
August 2020
Britney’s attorney Samuel Ingham files a petition to prevent Jamie from returning as sole conservator after he has recovered from his health issues. The lawyer states that Britney is “strongly opposed” to her father’s return. Though she doesn’t call for an end to the conservatorship, instead requesting having “a qualified corporate fiduciary” to take on the role.
Credit: Getty
November 2020
Judge Penny refuses to remove Jamie as her conservator. This is despite her lawyer alleging that she was “afraid” of him.
However, Judge Penny does rule that financial firm Bessemer Trust joins as a co-conservator of her financial affair management.
February 2021
Framing Britney Spears, a documentary by the New York Times is released on 5 February 2021. The Hour and 15 minute special explores the #FreeBritney movement, the Britney Spears conservatorship battle and her personal life. According to Metro, the programme pulled in 220,000 UK viewers alone during its premiere.
March 2021
A month later, Britney’s lawyer petitions that her care manager Jodi Montgomery permanently replaces Jamie as conservator over her personal affairs.
The ongoing legal battle would still mean Jamie would remain co-conservator of her estate alongside the Bessemer Trust.
June 2021
Britney appears in court to give her view on her conservatorship. This is a HUGE moment, as it’s the first time she has publicly commented on the court order for 13 years.
The 39-year-old says that she “just wants her life back”, detailing how the conservatorship has prevented her from marrying and starting a family with her boyfriend.
She also apologised for alleging that everything was alright on her Instagram account, when in reality she was not. “I’m depressed. I cry every day,” she said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQhP9A7gIzE
What is the #FreeBritney movement?
#FreeBritney is a campaign by fans who are petitioning for her conservatorship to end.
The singer’s followers believe that Britney was forced into the arrangement in 2008 and is being kept in the conservatorship against her will.
Credit: Getty
Organisers regularly assemble outside the court hearings to protest the situation. They have also caused the hashtag to go viral online and through social media. And have set up a change.org petition which has clocked up more than 150,000 signatures since it was created in 2019.
That particular petition claims: “Her father doesn’t allow her to drive, all of her calls & messages are monitored, she’s not allowed to vote, hang with anyone or spend her money without permission. And if she breaks a ‘rule’ he threatens to have her kids taken away.”
Other #FreeBritney supporters have accused her dad of helping himself to her millions. Something Jamie Spears has vehemently denied.
He told Page Six: “All these conspiracy theorists don’t know anything. It’s up to the court to decide what’s best for my daughter. It’s no one else’s business. I have to report every nickel and dime spent to the court every year. How the hell would I steal something?”
Another insider supported Jamie’s claim, telling US Weekly that “every staple, pen, storage rental, is accounted for.” They added: “The idea that he is living this grand lifestyle at the expense of Britney’s health is laughable.”
According to the New York Times, #FreeBritney started in 2009, when a Spears fan site, BreatheHeavy.com, launched a campaign to release Britney from the new conservatorship setup.
Several celebrities have thrown their support behind the movement, including Miley Cyrus and former friend Paris Hilton.
After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time.
Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right.
No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 24, 2021
Fellow singer Mariah Carey tweeted: “We love you Britney!!! Stay strong.” Whilst ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake said “No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for.” He added that he sent his “absolute support to Britney during this time.”
As for what’s next in the legal proceedings, LA Circuit Judge Brenda Penny, who heard the pop star’s testimony, told Britney that she will have to submit a petition officially requesting the termination of the conservatorship.
An investigator will also speak to her parents and the Bessemer Trust. These will then be presented to Judge Penny, who will make the final decision.
Another hearing is set for July 14th. According to an Associated Press report, these legal proceedings are likely to go on for some time before any decision on ending the conservatorship will be made.
