Bethany Collins
A judge has ruled in favour of the termination of pop sensation Britney Spears’ conservatorship after almost 14 years.
The conservatorship, which Britney has regained independence from, prohibited Spears from independently making personal decisions.
“The court finds the conservatorship of Britney Jean Spears is no longer required,” announced Judge Brenda Penny during the court hearing. In September, Judge Penny had suspended Jamie Spears as his daughter’s conservator after calling the dynamic toxic and unsustainable. In his place, she appointed accountant John Zabel as the temporary conservator until the case was resolved.
As part of her ruling, Judge Penny also called for Zabel to remain in place to assist the transition and settle remaining financial concerns but that the legal arrangement is “effective today… thereby terminated.” For Britney, the termination represents a reclamation of her freedom and independence.
Britney was granted the right to legal representation to dissolve the conservatorship and appointed lawyer Matthew Rosengart. Following the verdict, he highlighted that her case shone a light on the legality and morality of conservatorships. He said he was proud that consequential legislation has passed “to ensure that conservatorships like this… do not happen again.”
On the verdict, her father insisted the conservatorship had been necessary as “her life was in shambles and she was in physical, emotional, mental and financial distress”, but it has served its purpose of bringing stability and “it is now time for Britney to re-take control of her life.”
What is a conservatorship?
A conservatorship is a legal concept in the United States; a conservator is appointed to manage decisions on behalf of a legally incapacitated person. Conservators may have control over finances and/or over the person’s daily activities, health care and living arrangements. A court-appointed conservator enables the conservatee to live as independently as possible, with as much assistance as is necessary.
Britney’s conservatorship
A temporary conservatorship was initially implemented in January 2008 following an involuntary psychiatric hold but was extended and remained in place until 12 November 2021.
Her father sought to implement a conservatorship expected to last a few days but became permanent against Britney’s wishes. Spears’ justification for the conservatorship alluded to the fact that Britney was unable to look after herself due to deteriorating mental health.
In Britney’s case, her father had control of both her financial affairs and her person. The conservatorship gave Jamie Spears power over her career, money, and other personal decisions, such as visiting her children. Jamie Spears also maintained control over decisions regarding Britney’s physical and mental health.
Court hearings in June heard Britney testify to the level of control she was subject to during the conservatorship. She said, “I want to be able to get married and have a baby, and I was told right now in the conservatorship I am not able to get married and have a baby.” She claimed the conservators would not allow her to get her birth control removed.
Britney also called the arrangement abusive and said that she was traumatised after almost 14 years of no independence. “This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good,” she said, and “I deserve to have a life.”
#FreeBritney and the power of social movements
The conservatorship was propelled into the spotlight by the #FreeBritney movement, which gained traction as awareness of the case increased. Britney’s supporters have questioned the necessity of the conservatorship for several years and the website FreeBritney.net suggested that an incapacitated person would not have been able to tour, release albums or work in other media.
The campaign gained popularity in 2019; information about Britney’s treatment led to calls for the courts to grant her legal autonomy. Podcast Britney’s Gram released a voicemail they obtained from a source claiming to be a member of her legal team. The source alleged Britney was being held in a mental health facility against her will, and her Las Vegas Domination residency had been cancelled.
Host Tess Barker said, “I had chills down my spine just from the tone of his voice.” Co-host Babs Gray added, “it was just the tipping point for those of us who were paying attention and had concerns about the conservatorship and the control over Britney.” The podcast episode catapulted the issue of Britney’s independence to the public eye, and pressure on the legal system increased.
Without the noise of the #FreeBritney movement on social media and protests, the dissolution of the conservatorship may have taken much longer. The increased pressure on Jamie Spears’ legal team from the wider public was critical for Britney to gain independence.
Spears denies any wrongdoing concerning the conservatorship.
Featured image courtesy of Mike Maguire on Flickr. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to this image.
Bethany Collins
First Class Politics graduate from the University of Exeter. Exeposé Print Features Editor 2020-21. Contributing writer, workshop host and former Current Affairs Editor (2020) for Empoword Journalism.