Judge Orders Britney Spears' Dad, Trust Company To Develop Investment Plan
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A judge Thursday said she expects the father of Britney Spears, Jamie Spears, and a trust company to work together to develop an investment plan and budget for the benefit of the pop star, despite the singer's stated displeasure with her father's role as the co-conservator of her estate.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny set another hearing for March 17 for updates on the progress made by Jamie Spears and the Bessemer Trust Company.
"Framing Britney Spears," a new feature-length documentary, details Spears' conservatorship and her court battle with her father over who should control her estate.
Many of the singer's fans have actively participated in the online "#FreeBritney" campaign calling for an end to the oversight of her life and affairs. A large contingent was present outside the west entrance of the courthouse Thursday.
Both Jamie Spears and the trust company are sharing the management of his daughter's business affairs. The 39-year-old singer's lawyer, Samuel Ingham III, said his client would be happier without her father involved.
"It's no small secret my client doesn't want her father as the co-conservator," Ingham said.
However, Vivian Thoreen, the attorney for Jamie Spears, said the singer at one time stated she wanted her father to be the sole conservator of her estate. Thoreen has said her client has faithfully looked after his daughter's interests since 2008, when the mother of two was placed under conservatorship after she went through an extended period of exhibiting bizarre behavior, including shaving her head.
In a statement Thursday evening, Thoreen said, in part:
The Probate Court's rulings today show the court's confidence in our client Jamie Spears and Bessemer Trust to manage the conservatorship of Ms. Spears' estate together. My client looks forward to working with Bessemer to continue an investment strategy in the best interests of his daughter... My client Jamie Spears has diligently and professionally carried out his duties as one of Britney's conservators, and his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is clearly apparent to the court.
In 2019, she canceled her Las Vegas residency and checked into a mental health facility after revealing that her father was sick. She has not performed live since 2018.
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