Britney Spears is seeking to make major changes to the court-appointed conservatorship that has given her father James Spears (also known as Jamie Spears) control over various aspects of her life since a public breakdown in 2008. Spears has been his daughter’s legal conservator for 12 years. He temporarily stepped down from his role of overseeing her personal affairs in 2019, citing his own health problems. In his assigned role he oversees Britney’s personal and financial decision-making as well as her healthcare. However, in the brief reprieve of 2019, his role was taken over by an independent professional conservator, Jodi Montgomery.
Several of Britney’s fans have been running a #FreeBritney campaign as they believe she was forced into the arrangement. In a US court filing, the singer’s lawyer, Samuel D Ingham III argued that the conservatorship terms must be changed substantially in order to ‘reflect the major changes in her current lifestyle and her stated wishes’. However, he stated that ‘Britney is strongly opposed to James' return as conservator of her person and she strongly prefers to have a qualified corporate fiduciary appointed’ to manage her financial affairs’.
The court filing explained that Britney is in favour of the conservatory role which she said had "rescued her from a collapse, exploitation by predatory individuals and financial ruin" and made her "able to regain her position as a world class entertainer". However, she wants Jodi Montgomery in place of her father to oversee her personal affairs once the conservatorship is up for extension after August 22.
Britney’s father in an interview earlier this month rejected the accusations levelled against him and said, “All these conspiracy theorists don’t know anything. I have to report every nickel and dime spent to the court every year. How the hell would I steal something? … I love my daughter.” He had also revealed that he had received death threats from the singer’s fans which Britney herself acknowledged in April 2019.
(Source: BBC/PageSix)
