Britney Spears conservatorship explained: How much does dad Jamie Spears earn and can she revoke his status?
Britney Spears’ ongoing conservatorship drama is only gaining momentum with each passing day. According to reports, the singer has been paying a hefty fee to her conservatorship team, her conservator and father Jamie Spears.
According to the documents obtained by E!, Britney has “paid her team of advisors and attorneys a combined $1,202,504.30 in 2019” and $128,000 to her father in salary for playing the role of her conservator. Her father was appointed as her conservator following her 2008 meltdown. The court placed the singer under Jamie’s conservatorship temporarily first, which later became permanent, thus giving the latter complete control of her assets. For a brief period of time, Britney’s former boyfriend, Jason Trawick, became her co-conservator with Jamie, which was removed after the couple called their relationship off. Jamie continued to be conservator for years until he had to step down in 2019 following a near-fatal colon rupture. She reportedly entered a psychiatric facility around the same time. Andrew Wallet, who was serving as the co-conservator, resigned in March 2019.
Her conservatorship came under fire after anonymous sources revealed that the singer was allegedly held against her will in the facility since January 2019. Soon, everybody started questioning the length of her conservatorship, which eventually gave rise to the #FreeBritney movement that garnered the support of millions of fans and fellow celebrities including, Cher, Miley Cyrus, Mario Lopez and Heidi Montag.
Media began discussing the alleged violation of human rights Britney had endured under the conservatorship of her father. Fans protested outside West Hollywood City Hall trying to bing attention to Brittany’s ongoing conservatorship struggles with Jamie. On May 10, 2019, the singer attended the conservatorship hearing with her mother and the reports that came in later suggested that she had taken the first step in the elimination of her conservatorship with Jamie by submitting a 730 evaluation.
A few speculations suggested that Jamie was allegedly stealing from his daughter. However, in an interview with E! he denied the rumors and claimed, “I have to report every nickel and dime spent to the court every year. How the hell would I steal something”. He added, "All these conspiracy theorists don't know anything. The world don't have a clue. It's up to the court of California to decide what's best for my daughter. It's no one else's business."
Jamie added on an emotional note, "People are being stalked and targeted with death threats. It's horrible. We don't want those kinds of fans. I love my daughter. I love all my kids. But this is our business. It's private.”
Reportedly, a hearing will be held soon to determine if Britney’s 12-year conservatorship will extend beyond August 22. After Jamie temporarily stepped down, Britney’s care manager Jodu Montgomery filled in for her father until January 2020. It remains to be seen after the next hearing if the singer can revoke her father’s status as her conservator, which will be decided by the court.
Meanwhile, Britney’s fans are vigorously campaigning for her to be freed of the conservatorship with her father. A petition has been started on Change.org demanding freedom for Britney to be able to hire her own lawyer. The petition has already received over $250,000 signatures