Britney Spears’ father loses court bid over estate control
Los Angeles, US, Feb 11 (efe-epa).- Britney Spears’ father on Thursday lost his bid in a Los Angeles court to retain some of his rights over the pop star’s estate.
The hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court marks the latest chapter in a protracted legal battle the 39-year-old singer’s lawyers are fighting over Jamie Spears’ conservatorship of her estate. Since 2008, her father has had control over her finances, wellbeing and career as part of a contentious legal agreement.
Spears has expressed strong opposition to her father continuing to exercise complete control over her affairs and last year filed for him to be removed as conservator.
In November, Judge Brenda Penny declined to remove Jamie, but allowed a third party, the Bessemer Trust, to be added as co-conservator.
At the time, Spears’ lawyer Samuel Ingham said that the singer was afraid of her father and would not perform again while her father has control over her career.
On Thursday, Penny denied Jamie’s bid to retain the power to delegate investment powers for the estate, keeping Jamie and Bessemer as equal co-conservators.
“It is no secret that my client does not want her father as co-conservator. But we recognize that removal is a separate issue,” Ingham said.
The next hearings will be held on Mar. 17 and Apr. 27.
The Thursday hearing came after the New York Times last week released the documentary “Framing Britney Spears,” which follows the rise, fall and comeback of the artist, including the conservatorship and constant public scrutiny she was subjected to.
It has reinvigorated the #FreeBritney movement among supporters, including fans and celebrities, who want to see the star given back control of her life.
Jamie has been Britney’s conservator for 13 years in an arrangement usually reserved for people with cognitive impairment. He become her legal guardian in 2008 when she was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment.
Later, the artist recovered, released new albums and starred in one of the most successful shows in Las Vegas, but the guardianship has never been revoked. EFE-EPA
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