A US court has rejected Britney Spears’ attempt to have her father removed as conservator of her estate. James Spears aka Jamie Spears has been his daughter’s legal guardian for 12 years following concerns about her mental health. Britney’s lawyer Samuel D Ingham III said that pop star is ‘afraid’ of her father and she would not perform as long as he remained in the role of her conservator. However, Los Angeles superior court judge Brenda Penny declined to suspend James Spears control over his daughter’s life and career. The judge said she would consider future petitions for his suspension or outright removal after Ingham’s filing.
Reportedly, Ingham told the judge, “My client has informed me that she is afraid of her father. She will not perform again if her father is in charge of her career.” Ingham also claimed that Britney and her father have no ‘viable working relationship’ and have not spoken in a ‘long while’. The pop star has been on an indefinite work hiatus since early 2019.
However, James’ attorney Vivian Lee Thoreen defended her client and said that he always acted in the best interests of his daughter. She also argued that Britney has not spoken to her father as Ingham has advised her against it. Thoreen defended James’ record as conservator and said that when he assumed the role, Britney was fighting tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits. But under his guidance, Britney’s business operation was now worth $60 million. She argued that the removal of James will do the very harm to Britney the suspension is meant to prevent.
The US court judge did not approve of a corporate fiduciary, the Bessemer Trust to serve as co-conservator over Britney’s estate along with her father as per the singer’s request. On the other hand, a ‘Free Britney’ movement has been gaining ground amongst the fans of the pop star. They believe that the singer is being kept prisoner under the conservatorship law against her wishes. Britney had earlier acknowledged that a conservatorship was necessary when it began and probably saved her career, and she remained silent both in public and in court for almost all its entirety, with her attorney acting as a neutral observer.
(Source: The Gaurdian)
