Britney Spears’ Legal Battle with Her Father Puts Court Appointed Guardianships in the Spotlight

 Posted on May 14, 2021 in Estate Planning

Although pop star Britney Spears was a household name in the 90s and early 2000s, the singer faded into the background in later years. However, a new legal battle has returned Spears’ name to news headlines. Concerns over a court-appointed conservatorship have led many to question exactly when an adult should be subject to guardianship. Some believe that Spears’ father’s control over her finances is a despicable abuse of power. Others see it as a necessary means of assisting a woman with a history of mental instability and substance abuse issues.

Understanding the Purpose of Guardianships and Conservatorships

Estate planning terms vary from state to state. In Illinois, the term “conservatorship” is often used synonymously with guardianship of a person’s estate. A conservator or “guardian of the estate” is in charge of managing the finances of another individual. A “guardian of the person” manages the non-financial concerns in the person’s life, such as housing and medical decisions. Both conservatorships and guardianships give authority of a person’s life to another party. Conservatorships and guardianships are typically used to protect the interests of minor children or those with dementia or other conditions that reduce the individual’s ability to make sound decisions.

Why Was Britney Spears Subject to a Conservatorship?

For over 13 years, Britney Spears has been subject to a court-appointed conservatorship which gives control of her affairs to her father Jamie Spears. The conservatorship was established in 2008 amid concerns over the singer’s mental health problems and drug and alcohol use. Spears has attended several rehabilitation facilities for substance abuse and has also been placed in the hospital under psychiatric holds on two occasions. However, many proponents of the #FreeBritney movement say that conservatorship is no longer necessary. Spears has requested that her father be removed as conservator and for a financial institution to take control of her estate. In February of this year, a judge denied this request and ruled that both Jamie Spears and the financial institution would oversee Britney’s financial affairs. Britney will attend a hearing on June 23 to address the ongoing legal battle.

Contact a Lombard Guardianship Lawyer

Guardianship of an adult is typically awarded when physical or mental disabilities render a person unable to make wise choices on his or her own. If your loved one is struggling to manage financial or healthcare decisions, you may want to explore obtaining guardianship. Speak to an Illinois estate planning lawyer from A. Traub & Associates to learn more. Call us at 630-426-0196 today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-battle-of-britney-spears/2019/05/17/edcc826c-7681-11e9-bd25-c989555e7766_story.html

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-04-28/britney-spears-to-address-court-conservatorship-fans