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A Timeline of Britney Spears's Conservatorship Court Hearing

A Detailed Timeline of Britney Spears's Conservatorship Battle Since Her Court Hearing

Nov 4 2021

Ever since Britney Spears addressed a Los Angeles court about terminating her conservatorship on 23 June, there have been a lot of important instalments. In addition to finally hearing Britney's side of the story and learning the heartbreaking and "abusive" treatment she has received over the past few years as a result of the conservatorship, a handful of Britney's former costars, friends, and family have spoken out in support. Most recently, it was announced that Britney's father, Jamie Spears, has agreed to eventually step down from her conservatorship. Read ahead for an official timeline of everything that has happened since Britney publicly spoke out against her conservatorship.

Image Source: Getty / Lester Cohen/BBMA2016

23 June, 2021: Britney Spears Speaks Out in Court

The singer appeared virtually before a Los Angeles court to request that her years-long conservatorship be terminated. While addressing the court, Britney candidly detailed the "abusive" treatment she has received through the conservatorship, including not being able to have kids or get married. "I've lied and told the whole world I'm OK and I'm happy," she said. "If I said that enough, maybe I'd become happy . . . I'm in shock. I'm traumatised . . . I'm so angry it's insane."

Image Source: Getty / Gabe Ginsberg

23 June, 2021: Justin Timberlake and More Celebs Show Their Support

Shortly after Britney broke her silence on the conservatorship, stars began shower the singer with support. One notable celebrity who spoke out was Britney's ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, who she dated from 1998 to 2002. "After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time," he wrote on Twitter. "Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was . . . what's happening to her is just not right. No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body. No one should EVER be held against their will . . . or ever have to ask permission to access everything they've worked so hard for." Justin added, "Jess and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live."

Image Source: Getty / Dave Hogan

24 June, 2021: Britney Speaks Out Again on Instagram

Following her conservatorship court hearing, Britney released a statement on her Instagram alongside a quote from Albert Einstein. In her post, she apologised to her fans for hiding details about her conservatorship in the past, writing, "I apologise for pretending like I've been ok the past two years." She added, "I did it because of my pride and I was embarrassed to share what happened to me … but honestly who doesn't want to capture there Instagram in a fun light 💡🤷🏼‍♀️ !!!! Believe it or not pretending that I'm ok has actually helped … so I decided to post this quote today because by golly if you're going through hell … I feel like Instagram has helped me have a cool outlet to share my presence … existence … and to simply feel like I matter despite what I was going through and hey it worked … so I've decided to start reading more fairy tales 👑🧚‍♀️🦄 !!!!!"

Image Source: Getty / VALERIE MACON

28 June, 2021: Jamie Lynn Spears Breaks Her Silence

In a series of videos on her Instagram Stories, Britney's 30-year-old sister explained the reason she's never publicly discussed Britney's conservatorship, saying, "I feel like until my sister was able to speak for herself and say what she felt she needed to say publicly, that it wasn't my place and it wasn't the right thing to do." She then expressed that while she has not always shown her support for Britney publicly, she does so in private. "My sister knows I love and support her. That's the only person I owe anything to. I am not my family; I am my own person; I am speaking for myself."

Image Source: Getty / John Shearer

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29 June, 2021: Kevin Federline Supports Britney Spears

In response to Britney's 23 June conservatorship hearing, her ex-husband and father of her two sons made a statement to People via his attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan. "[Kevin] certainly respects Britney and only hopes the best for her because when the best for her is achieved, it's the best for their kids. The kids love their mother and he wants there to be a healthy and strong relationship." Mark added that Kevin supports Britney is challenging her conservatorship. "If it's what's best for her, Kevin supports it . . . If she's strong and healthy and wants to be in control of her own life, and can do that in a reasonable, responsible fashion, then more power to her."

Image Source: Getty / Jason Merritt/TERM

30 June, 2021: Jamie Spears and Jodi Montgomery React to Britney Spears's Testimony

Nearly a week after Britney's court hearing, the singer's father submitted court documents expressing his "concern" over Jodi not respecting his daughter's wishes and claiming that she is responsible for Britney's "difficulties and suffering." He also noted that he has not served as Britney's conservator since September 2019.

Shortly after, Jodi responded to Jamie's claims in a statement from her attorney Lauriann Wright, claiming that she has been a "tireless advocate" for Britney and that Jamie has been the one in charge of approving all expenditures as the controller of her estate. "Practically speaking, since everything costs money, no expenditures can happen without going through Mr. Spears and Mr. Spears approving them," Jodi's statement read. "Ms. Montgomery has advocated on Britney's behalf for any expenditures that Britney has requested as well as for expenditures recommended by Britney's medical team."

Image Source: Getty / Lester Cohen/BBMA2016

30 June, 2021: Britney Spears's Request to Remove Her Father From Her Conservatorship Is Denied

On June 30, Variety reported that new court documents revealed LA Judge Brenda Penny denied Britney's request to remove her father, Jamie Spears, as her co-conservator. Britney's lawyer, Samuel Ingham III, filed the request on her behalf back in November 2020.

A day later, it was reported that Bessemer Trust, the firm hired to oversee Britney's financial affairs alongside her father, filed a court document that it wanted to resign from the conservatorship following Britney's court hearing. "As a result of the conservatee's testimony at the June 23 hearing, however, Petitioner has become aware that the Conservatee objects to the continuance of her Conservatorship and desires to terminate the conservatorship," Bessemer Trust reportedly said. "Petitioner has heard the Conservatee and respects her wishes."

Image Source: Getty / Scott Dudelson

5 July, 2021: Britney Spears’s Longtime Manager Larry Rudolph Resigns

After being Britney's manager since the early 1990s, Larry Rudolph announced he was resigning in a recent letter to Jamie Spears and Jodi Montgomery. "It has been over 2 1/2 years since Britney and I last communicated, at which time she informed me she wanted to take an indefinite work hiatus," he reportedly said. "Earlier today, I became aware that Britney had been voicing her intention to officially retire. As her manager, I believe it is in Britney's best interest for me to resign from her team as my professional services are no longer needed."

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur

6 July, 2021: Britney Spear's Lawyer, Samuel Ingham III, Resigns

Following Larry's resignation, the singer's lawyer, Samuel Ingham III, filed court documents asking to be dismissed as her counsel. "Samuel D. Ingham III hereby resigns as court-appointed counsel for Britney Jean Spears, conservatee, effective upon the appointment of new court-appointed counsel," the court filings read, according to Variety.

Britney's conservator, Jodi Montgomery, also released a statement to People saying she has no plans of stepping down as the singer's conservator. "She remains committed to steadfastly supporting Ms. Spears in every way she can within the scope of her duties as a conservator of the person," Jodi's lawyer Lauriann Wright said in a statement. "Ms. Spears as recently as yesterday has asked Ms. Montgomery to continue to serve. Ms. Montgomery will continue to serve as a conservator for as long as Ms. Spears and the Court desire her to do so."

A day later, Britney's mother Lynne Spears filed a petition for permission for the singer to hire her own lawyer. "Her capacity is certainly different today than it was in 2008, and Conservatee should no longer be held to the 2008 standard, whereby she was found to 'not have the capacity to retain counsel,'" the filing reportedly read.

Image Source: Getty / Ethan Miller

14 July, 2021: Britney Spears's Request For a New Lawyer Is Granted

During another court hearing, a judge granted the singer permission to hire her own lawyer following Samuel's exit. According to Variety, Britney has chosen lawyer Mathew Rosengart, who's previously represented stars like Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Keanu Reeves.

"Pursuant to my statement in open court on June 23, 2021, my rights, and my desire to end the above-referenced conservatorship as to my father, Jamie P. Spears, it is my desire to choose and retain my own counsel, at Greenberg, Traurig, LLP as set forth above," Britney stated in legal documents.

In her testimony, Britney also accused her father of abusing his power as her conservator. "I'm here to get rid of my dad and charge him with conservatorship abuse," she told the court. "This conservatorship has allowed my dad to ruin my life."

Image Source: Getty / Jason Kempin

16 July, 2021: Britney Spears Calls Out People Who "Never Showed Up" For Her

In a lengthy Instagram post, the singer called out people who are publicly supporting her now, but never showed support behind closed doors. "There's nothing worse than when the people closest to you who never showed up for you post things in regard to your situation whatever it may be and speak righteously for support," she wrote. "How dare you make it public that NOW you CARE." She continued, "If you're reading this and you know who you are . . . and you actually have the nerve to say anything about my situation just to save face for yourself publicly. . . . Please stop with the righteous approach."

In a followup post, Britney spoke out about her younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears, adding when she wasn't happy that she performed a remix of her songs at Radio Disney Music Awards in 2017. "I don't like that my sister showed up at an awards show and performed MY SONGS to remixes !!!!! My so-called support system hurt me deeply !!!!" Though she noted that "this conservatorship killed my dreams," she is still holding onto hope. "People try to kill hope because hope is one of the most vulnerable and fragile things there is !!!! I'm gonna go read a mother f*cking fairy tale now !!!!" She ended her post by saying, "if you don't want to see my precious ass dancing in my living room or it's not up to your standards ... go read a f*cking book 📕 !!!!!"

26 July, 2021: Britney Spears Files to Remove Her Father as Conservator

Nearly a month after Britney first broke her silence about the conservatorship, her lawyer Mathew Rosengart has filed to replace Jamie Spears with certified public accountant Jason Rubin. According to CNBC, Jason is a principal at Certified Strategies, which is a firm that specialises in estate financial management, elder financial abuse investigation, investment fraud investigation, and securities litigation.

This move comes fewer than two weeks after Mathew was appointed Britney's lawyer, taking over for court-appointed lawyer Samuel D. Ingham III. "There might well come a time when the court will be called upon to consider whether the conservatorship should be terminated in its entirety and whether — in addition to stripping his daughter of her dignity, autonomy and certain fundamental liberties — Mr. Spears is also guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance warranting the imposition of surcharges, damages or other legal action against him," Mathew wrote in the filing. The appointment of a new conservator is expected to be addressed in court on 29 Sept.

Image Source: Getty / Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

5 Aug., 2021: Britney Spears's Lawyer Requests the "Immediate Suspension" of Jamie

Ahead of the singer's 29 Sept. hearing, Britney's attorney Mathew Rosengart filed court documents for "the immediate suspension" of Jamie as her conservator. "Although a two-month wait for a hearing on the Petition may not seem significant in the context of 13 years, Ms. Spears should not be forced to continue to feel traumatised, lose sleep, and suffer further," the court document stated, according to People. "Every day matters." However, the request was denied on 9 Aug.

Image Source: Getty / AFP

12 Aug., 2021: Britney Spears's Father Agrees to Step Down From Conservatorship

In response to Britney's earlier petition, Jamie Spears has agreed to step down as her conservator "when the time is right." Jamie's attorney, Vivian Lee Thoreen, released a statement to People stating that while there are "no actual grounds" for removal, "it is highly debatable whether a change in conservator at this time would be in Ms. Spears' best interests." The statement also read: "Mr. Spears is willing to step down when the time is right, but the transition needs to be orderly and include a resolution of matters pending before the Court."

Shortly after, Britney's attorney, Mathew Rosengart, issued a statement to the publication, saying, "This is a major victory for Britney Spears and another step toward justice. I announced in Court on 14 July that, after 13 years of the status quo, it was time for Mr. Spears to be suspended or removed as conservator and that my firm and I would move aggressively and expeditiously for that outcome."

In paperwork filed on 30 Aug. and obtained by E! News, Britney's team claimed that Jamie is seeking approximately $2 million to step back as the singer's conservator, which includes "attorneys' fees he has incurred" and "a substantial payment from Ms. Spears' Estate to certain third parties, including Tri-Star Sports & Entertainment Group". "Britney Spears will not be extorted," the filing says. "Mr. Spears's blatant attempt to barter suspension and removal in exchange for approximately $2 million in payments, on top of the millions already reaped from Ms. Spears's estate by Mr. Spears and his associates, is a non-starter."

Image Source: Getty / Gabe Ginsberg

Sept. 7, 2021: Britney Spears's Father Files a Petition to End Her Conservatorship

Nearly a month after agreeing to step down as her conservator, Britney Spears's father Jamie Spears unexpectedly filed a petition to end her 13-year conservatorship on Sept. 7. "Recent events related to this conservatorship have called into question whether circumstances have changed to such an extent that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship may no longer exist," the filing states, according to documents obtained by CNN.

"Ms. Spears has told this Court that she wants control of her life back without the safety rails of a conservatorship," the petition continued. "She wants to be able to make decisions regarding her own medical care, deciding when, where and how often to get therapy. She wants to control the money she has made from her career and spend it without supervision or oversight. She wants to be able to get married and have a baby, if she so chooses. In short, she wants to live her life as she chooses without the constraints of a conservator or court proceeding."

"As Mr. Spears has said again and again, all he wants is what is best for his daughter," the filing said. "If Ms. Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr. Spears believes that she should get that chance."

Britney's attorney Mathew Rosengart has not yet made a statement about the filing.

Image Source: Getty / AFP

29 Sept., 2021: Britney Spears's Father Is Suspended From the Conservatorship

After filing a petition to step down as conservator of his daughter's estate, Jamie was immediately suspended from his daughter's conservatorship by Judge Brenda Penny. Britney has been under the control of her conservatorship for the past 13 years, and the most recent ruling suggests a glimmer of hope in the singer's fight for freedom. Britney's attorney is now pushing to have the conservatorship completely eradicated. "The conservatorship can and should be wound up and terminated promptly — ideally this fall," Mathew Rosengart stated during the hearing.

Following his suspension, Jamie issued a statement to Variety via his attorney, Vivan Thoreen, saying, "Mr. Spears loves his daughter Britney unconditionally. For thirteen years, he has tried to do what is in her best interests, whether as a conservator or her father. This started with agreeing to serve as her conservator when she voluntarily entered into the conservatorship. This included helping her revive her career and re-establish a relationship with her children. For anyone who has tried to help a family member dealing with mental health issues, they can appreciate the tremendous amount of daily worry and work this required. For Mr. Spears, this also meant biting his tongue and not responding to all the false, speculative, and unsubstantiated attacks on him by certain members of the public, media, or more recently, Britney's own attorney."

The statement then claimed his suspension was a "loss for Britney", adding, "Respectfully, the court was wrong to suspend Mr. Spears, put a stranger in his place to manage Britney's estate, and extend the very conservatorship that Britney begged the court to terminate earlier this summer. Again, it was Mr. Spears who took the initiative to file the petition to terminate the conservatorship when neither Britney's former court-appointed counsel nor her new privately-retained attorney would do so. It was Mr. Spears who asked the court at yesterday's hearing to immediately terminate the conservatorship while Britney's own attorney argued against it. Despite the suspension, Mr. Spears will continue to look out for the best interests of his daughter and work in good faith towards a positive resolution of all matters."

Britney's fiancé Sam Asghari shared his excitement about Jamie's suspension on his Instagram Story, writing, "Free Britney! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!" In a followup post, he wrote, "She did this. Her fan base is called the army for a reason." Britney seemingly reacted to the news on her Instagram by sharing a video of her flying a plane with the caption, "On cloud 9 right now."

Image Source: Getty / AFP

3 Nov., 2021: Britney Spears's Mum Requests $650,000 in Attorney Fees

In a petition filed on 1 Nov., Lynne Spears requested that Britney's estate pay for her attorney fees for their involvement in her conservatorship case.

The following day, Britney called out her mum in a now-deleted Instagram post, writing, "Pssss my dad may have started the conservatorship 13 years ago … but what people don't know is that my mom is the one who gave him the idea !!!!" She then added that Lynne secretly ruined her life.

Image Source: Getty / Jim Smeal

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