On Friday afternoon, a Los Angeles court ended the conservatorship that had controlled Britney Spears’ personal and financial life for over 13 years.
Since 2008, the singers’ personal and estate conservatorship was run by his father, Jamie Spears. But Judge Brenda Penny, who ruled in favor of Britney’s request to end it, said yesterday that it was “no longer required, effective immediately.” Neither side objected.
Ms. Penny also said that the certified public accountant who served as a temporary conservator, John Zabel, would temporarily remain in his position and retain some powers to resolve ongoing financial matters, including transferring her assets into her trust.
The legal arrangement controlled her medical and personal decisions, including her visits to her teenage children or getting married. Ms. Spears had described the conservatorship as “abusive,” saying it caused her anxiety and depression.
The Toxic singer said she had concealed her true feelings about the conservatorship and her relationship with her father. However, she began speaking publicly this year and asked the court to end the legal settlement.
Earlier, his father stated that it was “necessary.” In court documents filed, his legal team wrote that Britney’s “life was in shambles and she was in physical, emotional, mental and financial distress,” but Mr. Spears later said it was time for his daughter to re-take control over her life.
After the judge’s ruling became known, the pop star wrote a message to her 35 million followers on Instagram, saying it was “the best day ever.”
On Twitter, Britney shared a video of her fans outside the court celebrating the arrangement’s termination and wrote: “Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy!!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day!!!! Best day ever… praise the Lord… can I get an Amen???? #FreedBritney.”
Addressing the crowd supporting the singer, her attorney Mathew Rosengart praised her “courage” during the hearings and the entire legal process, saying he was proud that Britney has “shined a light on conservatorships from California to New York.”
He also noted that her testimony had helped create a new legislation “to try to ensure that conservatorships like this don’t happen again.”
