Britney Spears’ father has lost his latest court appeal to retain complete control over his daughter’s estate. During a Los Angeles court appearance on Thursday, Judge Brenda Penny overruled Jamie Spears’ objection to naming the financial company the Bessemer Trust as co-conservator of the singer’s estate in what many consider a small victory in the #FreeBritney movement, The Guardian reports.
- Britney’s conservatorship has been in place since 2008. As anyone who’s watched the new Framing Britney Spears documentary will now know, the conservatorship, which was filed by Jamie to give him complete control over her life and finances, was put in place in 2008 when she was experiencing severe mental health issues.
- She’s been trying to break free from her father’s control ever since. As most logical people have questioned, how could Britney be capable of having a successful, busy career full of endorsements, concerts, and so much more but yet not be mentally sound enough to have control of her own life and finances? However, despite multiple efforts to remove the conservatorship (or at least remove Jamie), so far she’s been unsuccessful.
- Jamie refuses to step down and claims he’s trying to “protect” Britney. While he did temporarily step down a couple of years ago due to health issues, Jamie refused Britney’s request to step down permanently and install temporary personal conservator Jodi Montgomery in the spot permanently. Since then, he’s doggedly fought any attempt to get rid of him and relinquish control of Britney’s life and money. “I have and will continue to provide unwavering love and fierce protection against those with self-serving interests and those who seek to harm her or my family,” Jamie has said.
- This court appearance was about investment powers. Jamie objected to sharing investment powers of Britney’s estate with Bessemer Trust and wanted to retain complete control himself. The judge said no to that request, thank goodness, meaning that Jamie now only has 50% control and Bessemer Trust will have equal say. Her lawyer also reiterated the fact that Britney doesn’t want Jamie involved at all but agreed that the topic can be revisited at a future court appearance.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.
