Jamie Spears, the father of former pop star Britney Spears, has been suspended as the conservator of her estate. He had been originally appointed as conservator in 2008 after a highly publicized mental breakdown, and has been in charge of her affairs since then. However, after years of pushing, Britney Spears was able to get her father removed from that position, and is now seeking to have her conservatorship ended entirely.
Who is Britney Spears?
Britney Spears was one of the most popular and influential pop stars of the late 90s and 2000s, with numerous songs that topped the BIllboard charts. However, her career took its toll on her, and in 2008, she had a public mental breakdown that became the subject of intense media scrutiny. At that point, her father, Jamie, successfully applied to become her conservator, and took control of her personal affairs.
What is a Conservatorship?
A conservatorship is another name for a guardianship, which is a legal arrangement in which one person (known as a conservator or guardian) is granted authority over the medical, financial, and/or legal affairs of another person (known as a ward). While the conservatorship is in effect, the conservator has a legal responsibility to protect the welfare of their ward, and must report to the court about the state of their ward’s affairs. To fulfill this duty, the conservator has the authority to make decisions on their ward’s behalf, and gains access to their assets to pay bills and make responsible investments.
Why Was Britney Spears Seeking an End to Her Conservatorship?
Britney Spears had been pushing for years to have her father removed as conservator due to allegations of financial and emotional abuse. She alleged that he used his position as conservator to enrich himself from her estate, and that he subjected her to emotional abuse, including forced medication, to keep her under control. Jamie Spears, for his part, denied the allegations, and asserted that he only ever acted in his daughter’s best interests.
What Are the Consequences of This Decision?
With Jamie Spears removed as conservator of his daughter’s estate, a new temporary conservator has been put into place. In the meantime, the court will review whether it is necessary for Britney Spears to continue being under a conservatorship, or if she is sufficiently recovered that she can handle her own affairs. A hearing on the matter is currently scheduled for November 12.
The guardianship law attorneys at David J. Lorber & Associates, PLLC will work with you to determine whether a guardianship might be necessary for your loved one, and help you to get a guardianship that will suit your needs. For comprehensive guardianship and elder law services in New York, call David J. Lorber & Associates, PLLC at (631) 750-0900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Setauket office.
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