After more than thirteen years, Britney Spears has successfully sued to end her conservatorship. The former pop star has been under the control and supervision of her father, Jamie, ever since a public mental breakdown in 2008. With this legal victory, she will be allowed to reclaim control of her life, independent of supervision from any court-appointed guardian or conservator.
Who is Britney Spears?
For those unfamiliar, Britney Spears was once among the most famous pop idols in the United States, earning several Top Ten hits including “…Baby, One More Time,” “Oops, I Did It Again,” and “Toxic.” Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, she was a dominant force in the American music industry. However, in 2008, she had a public mental breakdown, stemming from both long-term psychological issues and stress over her divorce with ex-husband Kevin Federline. As a result, she was placed in a conservatorship, with her father, Jaime, acting as her conservator.
What is a Conservatorship?
A conservatorship, also known as a guardianship, is a legal relationship imposed by a court where someone (known as a conservator or guardian) is given legal responsibility over someone else (known as a ward). Conservatorships are typically imposed on children whose parents are unable to care for them, elderly people suffering from dementia, people with special needs, and people suffering from severe physical or psychological disabilities. Conservators must ensure the welfare of their wards, and can be held legally liable if they are negligent or abusive towards their ward.
Why Did Britney Spears Sue to End Her Conservatorship?
For several years, Britney Spears alleged that her father, Jaime, had abused his position as her conservator. According to court filings, she suffered psychological and emotional abuse, and was subjected to medical procedures against her will. She also alleged that he used his position as conservator to economically benefit himself, using the control over her finances to enrich himself and other family members.
What Does it Mean Now That the Conservatorship is Over?
The conservatorship will not end right away. The process of transferring assets back into Britney Spears’ control may take some time, and she is still subject to certain court guidelines. For the most part, however, she is now fully in control of her life, and able to make her own legal, financial, and medical decisions again. She has also said that she will be hiring forensic accountants to examine her estate and identify any potential misconduct committed by her father while he was her conservator.
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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