Britney Spears’ conservatorship case will return to court today.
On June 23, the pop singer called for an end to her “abusive” conservatorship during a landmark court hearing.
In her testimony, the 39-year-old slammed her father Jamie, who has controlled aspects of her life under the conservatorship since 2008.
In recent weeks, Britney’s court-appointed lawyer Samuel D Ingham has asked to resign, wealth management firm Bessemer Trust has withdrawn from overseeing her estate and her longtime manager Larry Rudolph has resigned.
A hearing is scheduled for 1:30pm local time in Los Angeles Superior Court.
It is unclear if Britney will appear in court today.
It is also unknown whether she will be able to select and hire her own lawyer following Ingham’s resignation.
The court-appointed lawyer faced backlash after Britney claimed in court that she did not know she could petition to terminate her conservatorship, which she has been objecting to for years.
Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that the singer has been in contact with Hollywood lawyer and former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart – who is expected to attend the hearing and make the case that she should be able to hire him.
During her court hearing on June 23, Britney spoke to Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny about her conservatorship, which was established in 2008 after she suffered an alleged breakdown.
In a passionate statement, the pop singer said: “I am not happy, I can’t sleep. I’m so angry, it’s insane. And I’m depressed.”
“My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship, including my management… they should be in jail.”
As for why she didn’t speak out before, Britney said: “I honestly didn’t think anyone would believe me. I thought people would make fun of me… I’m just want my life back. It’s enough.”
The 39-year-old has requested to end her conservatorship without being evaluated by medical professionals.
The singer was placed under a conservatorship after she suffered an alleged breakdown in 2008.
A conservatorship is granted to those who are incapable of making decisions, such as people with mental disabilities.
The arrangement put her estate, financial assets, and some personal assets under the control of her father Jamie, and lawyer Andrew Wallet – who has since resigned from the role.
The mum-of-two’s conservatorship has been under review since 2019 after she accused her father of forcing her to enter a mental health facility.
In November last year, the songstress tried to have her father removed as her conservator, but her request was denied.
Instead, a judge named wealth management firm the Bessemer Trust as co-conservator of her estate, alongside her father.
However, Bessemer Trust has since resigned from the role.
Britney’s ongoing legal battle dominated headlines earlier this year following the release of the documentary Framing Britney Spears.
Produced by the The New York Times, the film followed the singer’s rise to stardom, and the events that led to her conservatorship battle.
The film shed light on the #FreeBritney movement, and featured interviews with lawyers involved in her conservatorship.
It also showed the misogyny and media scrutiny the pop star faced throughout her career, with many viewers describing the documentary as “heartbreaking” and “shocking”.
