On Thursday, a Los Angeles judge supported Britney Spears’ legal team by giving a third power equal to her father’s in managing the 39-year-old pop star’s finances. Her father, Jamie Spears, had opposed an earlier decision, which claimed to have lessened his control over the property.
Judge Brenda Penny ordered her father and the financial company Bessemer Trust to work together on a budget and investment plan for the singer. In November, the judge appointed the company to the position, but denied Britney’s lawyers’ attempt to remove Jamie from the guardianship fully.
Jamie received guardianship in 2008, after Britney struggled with mental health problems.
On Thursday, Britney’s court-appointed lawyer echoed his earlier statements, saying his client wants his father removed from custody. “It is no secret that my client does not want her father to be her guardian, but we recognize that removal is a separate matter,” said lawyer Sam Ingham.
Jamie’s lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, said the co-guardianship between Jaime and the Bessemer Trust was “confused and ambiguous by design”. But Ingham contested this, saying the split roles were unambiguous and should be the same.
Last year, Ingram said Britney “strongly opposed” her father’s position as the sole conservator on her property and asked the court to limit his control. Although the judge did not remove him, she named the Bessemer Trust as co-conservative.
AP
Jamie’s legal team argued that his guidance is working. Under his order, his lawyers said, Britney’s estate went from debt to a valuation of more than $ 60 million.
Last Thursday, Jamie’s lawyers said he would like to work with the co-conservative. “Today’s Succession Court rulings show the court’s trust in our client Jamie Spears and Bessemer Trust to manage the custody of Spears’ estate together,” his legal team said in a statement. “My client looks forward to working with Bessemer to continue an investment strategy in his daughter’s best interest.”
The news comes when a New York Times documentary brings renewed attention for Spears’ legal battle with his father. The special follows the beloved pop star’s rise to fame, the public meltdown and the most recent comeback.
Both parties are expected to return to court on March 17.