Britney Spears' conservatorship was officially ended Friday. This means that the legal arrangement that had controlled her life for 13-years has been ended.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny made the decision. It came less than five month after Britney had testified that the conservatorship was abusive and she wanted it to end immediately. This was less than two months after Britney was removed as conservator by Jamie Spears.
Britney's case was thrust into the limelight this year due to a number of developments. These included the release by the New York Times of Framing Britney, and Britney's June testimony. This helped shed light on the sufferings of Britney under conservatorship and sparked the #FreeBritney movement.
Here are the facts about Friday's hearing.
What was the outcome of Friday's hearing
On Friday, a large crowd of #FreeBritney supporters gathered outside Los Angeles' Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Judge Penny ruled Britney's conservatorship should end immediately.
She stated that Britney Jean Spears' estate and person are no longer under conservatorship.
Judge Penny stated that John Zabel, the accountant who had served as temporary conservator for Britney's estate after Jamie was suspended, would remain on the case in an "limited and administrative" capacity, until financial matters are resolved. He will still be able to execute Britney's estate planning and transfer assets outside of Britney's trust.
Britney posted a video on Instagram of the crowd at the courthouse following Judge Penny's decision. The caption to the post read "Good God, I love my fans so deeply it's crazy," "I think I'm going to cry the rest of !!!! The best day of my life... Praise the Lord... Can I get an Amen?
How did we get to this point?
Britney has been openly expressing her disapproval of the conservatorship and the people involved, while speaking before an open court in June. Britney posted a deleted Instagram post in July where she criticized people close to her for trying to save face publically after not supporting her privately.
She wrote, "There is nothing worse than having people close to you not show up for you. Post things about your situation, whatever it may be, and speak up for support. There's nothing more terrible than that." "How dare it you publicly declare that you NOW CARE... did your hand reach for me when I was drowning?"
Britney did not name anyone, but fans speculated that the comments were made in reference to her mother Lynne Spears and her younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears. Both shared cryptic messages on Instagram after Judge Penny approved Britney’s request for Mathew S. Rosengart, a prominent Hollywood lawyer, to take over her case.
Britney used social media to voice her disapproval at the mistreatment she has suffered since September's hearing, when Jamie was removed from conservatorship. Britney has also been more direct in her criticisms. In an Instagram caption that has since been deleted, Lynne criticized Lou Taylor and Lynne for their roles in the conservatorship.
She wrote that her dad might have created the conservatorship 13-years ago, but she didn't know that my mom was the one who suggested it. "I will never be able to get those years back... she secretly destroyed my life... and yes, I will call Lou Taylor out on this .... Take your whole 'I don't know what's happening' attitude and get f--ked !!!! You are right. My dad isn't smart enough to think about a conservatorship. But tonight, I will smile because I know I have a brand new life ahead! !"
According to the New Yorker, Lynne stated that she was having mixed feelings about the situation. "I don’t know what I should think." . . . She said that it was a lot pain and a lot worry. "I'm good. I'm good at deflecting."
People has obtained court documents that show Rosengart requested that Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group (owned by Taylor) give a complete accounting of the past 13 years. This includes all documents regarding communications between Jamie & Tri Star, any documents regarding agreements between Jamie & Tri Star, and all communications regarding payments to Tri Star from Britney’s estate. Also, documents regarding any communications regarding Jamie & Tri Star's communications.
Tri Star filed a motion to stop the request. It argued that Tri Star provided regular accounting services for Britney over the 11 years they worked together. Britney or her lawyer never objected. Tri Star also denies any involvement in Britney's monitoring of her cell phone, her bedroom and her medication control.
The filing stated that "No one at Tri Star ever had any control over Ms. Spears’ medical treatment." "No one at Tri Star ever suggested monitoring Ms. Spears’ electronic communications. Tri Star never had the authority to approve security protocols. Tri Star has never been notified of any hidden electronic surveillance devices placed in Ms. Spears’ bedroom. Tri Star has never received any compensation for Ms. Spears' Estate or related expenses that are not accurately reflected within the accountings filed in this case.
Rosengart also requested Jamie to be deposed. He also questioned his motivations for filing a petition to immediately end the conservatorship following the receipt of the Tri Star discovery request.
Rosengart wrote that "it is not of any moment, presently whether Mr. Spears was motivated by an desire to bolster or avoid his deposition or respond to the outstanding discovery served to him in August."
Alex Weingarten, Jamie's new lawyer, stated in a Nov. 1, court filing that Jamie is "committed to complete and total transparency" and would cooperate in the transfer of all estate files.
The filing stated that Jamie has nothing to hide about Britney's estate administration and will not hide anything."
What is next?
Even though Judge Penny has ruled that the conservatorship should be ended, there are still legal issues that must be resolved by the court.
Britney will continue to pursue justice against the conservatorship defendants. Britney will also need to resolve any outstanding expenses that Britney owes, including legal fees incurred by those who tried to keep Britney in the arrangement. Britney's personal caregiver Jodi Montgomery has been Britney's conservator since September 2019 and is still seeking court approval to receive further compensation. There are two additional hearings scheduled for December 8th and January 19.
Britney is now free to make personal, medical and financial decisions. Britney testified in June that she had suffered many injustices under conservatorship. She was prevented from marrying Sam Asghari, and she had to remove an IUD that stopped her from having another child. Britney was proposed to by Asghari in September. The couple are now engaged.
Britney's future performance is uncertain. Rosengart stated that Britney would perform again if she wanted to in a press conference after Friday's hearing.
Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com.
