There Is A New Development In Britney Spears' Conservatorship Case
It has been quite the month for Britney Spears, to say the very least. The pop star decided to speak out in court, telling a judge that she's been mistreated and abused under her conservatorship, something that has long been speculated by her fans.
According to Good Morning America, Spears has still not filed legal documents to request the termination of her conservatorship despite expressing her wishes to do so in court on June 23. "It's been a long time since I've owned my money, and it's my wish, my dream for all of this to end," Spears told Judge Brenda Penny in open court, according to a transcript provided by CNN. Although Spears' conservatorship hearing won't resume for another two weeks, there are quite a few things going on behind the scenes.
For starters, Spears' father, Jamie Spears, has filed his own paperwork requesting an investigation into his daughter's claims that she's been mistreated, according to E! News. Additionally, TMZ reported that the judge agreed to add Bessemer Trust as co-conservator of Britney's finances, but the judge also made it clear that Jamie was still in his role for the time being. Of course, that could all change in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, on July 1, something else unfolded. Keep reading to find out the latest developments in Britney's conservatorship case.
Britney Spears' father is the sole conservator of her estate once more
On July 1, TMZ reported that Bessemer Trust, the company that was just given the green light to serve as co-conservator of Britney Spears' estate/finances alongside her father, Jamie Spears, has pulled out of the agreement. It seems as though Bessemer Trust decided to back out after hearing Britney's statement in court on June 23. "Sources with direct knowledge tell us...Bessemer Trust has decided it does not want to get involved because it's become gun-shy over all the controversy surrounding the conservatorship. As one source put it ... Bessemer feels the circumstances surrounding Britney's conservatorship have become a 'hornet's nest' so it's bailing," TMZ reports. Sources also told TMZ that there are "issues" with Britney's lawyer, Sam Ingham, but didn't elaborate.
This move leaves Jamie in complete sole control of Spears' estate — money coming in and out — a role that she has previously requested that he resign from, according to USA Today.
What will happen next in Britney Spears' conservatorship case?
Britney Spears' next court date is set for July 14, according to NPR, and many are wondering what exactly will happen during that hearing. According to Vulture, it's possible that Britney's lawyer could file a petition to have Jamie Spears removed as her conservator, or legal documents could be filed to end her conservatorship completely. While the pop star isn't expected to attend this next hearing, the proceedings could dictate how the remainder of the year looks for her. They could also dictate what the rest of her life looks like — so, needless to say, it's going to be a crucial hearing.
Vulture spoke with conservatorship attorney Tamar Arminak about what comes next for Britney, and it sounds like the proverbial ball is in her court. According to Arminak, Britney simply telling Judge Brenda Penny that she wishes to end her conservatorship isn't enough to actually end it. She "needs to bring a full petition to dissolve the conservatorship and file it with the court. If she asks her lawyer to do it, he has an obligation to do it. There may be a lot of reasons why he hasn't done so thus far, but certainly it seems like she's indicated she wants out of it. After the petition is filed, there will basically be a mini-trial held on whether the conservatorship continues to be in her best interest," Arminak explained.
Britney Spears could have a long road ahead of her
If Britney Spears does file a petition to end her conservatorship, it's not something that will just happen with the snap of a finger. As with most legal proceedings, it's going to be a bit of a process. According to CNN's transcripts of Britney's June 23 virtual court appearance, the "Piece of Me" singer said that she wants to end her conservatorship without going through a mental evaluation. "I would like to also, the main reason was the conservatorship without having to be evaluated. I've done a lot of research and there's a lot of judges who are in conservatorship for people without them having to be evaluated all the time," Britney said.
This may not actually be possible, however. Attorney Tamar Arminak told Vulture that most conservatorship cases require an evaluation — and Britney's case probably won't be any different. "I think if she wants to get rid of the conservatorship, then she is going to have to meet with not only the court investigator, but also a mental-health evaluator. I don't think a reasonable judge would let her off a conservatorship without her doing that," Arminak said. While Britney may not want that to happen, it could be the only way for her to experience the freedom that she so desires.