Britney Spears' conservatorship officially ends after 13 years
'The Five' reacts to judge restoring the pop star's independence
Britney Spears’ conservatorship is over after 13 long years for the pop star.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said on Friday, "The conservatorship of the person and estate of Britney Jean Spears is no longer required…is hereby terminated."
Citing all parties in agreement and Spears showing she does not lack capacity in making her own decisions and Penny said the conservatorship of both the estate and person are "no longer required" and "effective today with caveats…. [it is] hereby terminated."
Furthermore, the temporary conservator of the estate CPA John Zabel will remain on to handle the transition of assets and matters regarding the trust.
The next hearing date on that matter is scheduled for Dec 8., which Spears' attorney, former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart, requested as a "safety net" regarding her estate.
Spears did not appear in person or on the phone, and both her parents appeared remotely. Even with the virtual distance, all parties were in agreement that the looming arrangement be terminated for good.
Britney Spears’ conservatorship is over after 13 long years for the pop star. (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Following the news, Spears took to social media to celebrate.
"Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy. I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen," she wrote before adding, "#FreedBritney."
On a scorching day, the block outside the courthouse was barricaded to impede traffic, and dozens of #FreeBritney supporters showed up. There was even a hot pink Christmas tree in the middle of the street and performers — clad in costumes themed after Spears' most famous hits — danced on a stage in the street.
Additionally, a local Los Angeles County Sheriff deputy positioned outside the courthouse also pinned a pink rose to her uniform signifying solidarity with Spears’ mission to end her conservatorship after nearly 14 years.
Spears' attorney said in a press conference immediately following the hearing that he was "proud to be in the right place at the right time."
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"Many journalists have speculated or commented in regards to James P. Spears," he continued. "I haven't spoken to it [but it] is correct that we served a notice of deposition for Jamie to testify under oath."
"If Britney wants, we will pursue James Spears' deposition," he added. Rosengart also slammed Jamie, stating: "This conservatorship was corrupted by James P. Spears."
Britney Spears supporters decorate a pink 'Free Britney' Christmas tree outside a hearing concerning the pop singer's conservatorship at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Rosengart arrived at the courthouse to cheers from supporters of his star client — who posted a captionless photo of herself donning a pastel green halter top and white shorts to Instagram just minutes after her hearing got underway.
The judge’s decision was in direct response to Jamie Spears’ petition to end the conservatorship.
Regarding keeping Zabel on temporarily, Rosengart told the judge: "We have engaged in an orderly transfer of power… a safety net has been put in place both on the financial side and on the personal side."
On Friday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Brenda Judge Penny ended the 'Toxic' singer’s conservatorship altogether. (Getty Images)
Zabel’s attorney filed documents with the court Friday morning to obtain more access that would allow him to execute planning documents related to the trust and a durable power of attorney.
Rosengart told the judge: "Mr. Zabel should retain powers to transfer assets," adding, "The conservatorship as a practical matter should end today with Zabel continuing."
Judge Penny said she was concerned with the actual transition so she was satisfied with keeping Zabel on.
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An attorney for James Spears told the judge that his client supported ending the conservatorship.
"Those papers speak for themselves," said the counselor. "My client wants the conservatorship to end, and it should end immediately."
An attorney for Spears’ mother, Lynne Spears’, said she too is "entirely in support" of ending the 13-year stronghold, while Laurie Ann Wright, who represents conservator of the person Jodi Montgomery, said her client agreed as well, adding Montgomery hopes Spears can lead a safe and happy life.
Early Thursday, Spears' fiance Sam Asghari took to Instagram to share a video of the couple sporting #FreeBritney t-shirts.
"It's a human rights movement," the shirts read.
The conservatorship termination comes after Spears' father Jamie was officially suspended as conservator of her estate in September and Zabel was appointed in his place on a temporary basis.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said on Friday, 'The conservatorship of the person and estate of Britney Jean Spears is no longer required…is hereby terminated.' (Getty Images)
At the time, Judge Penny heard arguments from Spears and Jamie’s side and ultimately ruled that "suspension is in the best interests of Britney Spears."
"The current situation is not tenable," she added, before also ordering that control of all of Spears' assets be turned over to the new court-appointed temporary conservator, Zabel. Judge Penny further maintained that her ruling was not appealable.
Jamie responded to the court’s decision to oust him in a statement and pressed through his attorney that he "loves his daughter Britney unconditionally."
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"For thirteen years, he has tried to do what is in her best interests, whether as a conservator or her father. This started with agreeing to serve as her conservator when she voluntarily entered into the conservatorship," the memo obtained by Fox News at the time said. "This included helping her revive her career and re-establish a relationship with her children."
"For anyone who has tried to help a family member dealing with mental health issues, they can appreciate the tremendous amount of daily worry and work this required," the statement continued. "Despite the suspension, Mr. Spears will continue to look out for the best interests of his daughter and work in good faith towards a positive resolution of all matters."
Britney Spears supporters celebrate outside a hearing concerning the pop singer's conservatorship at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. A Los Angeles judge ended the conservatorship that has controlled Spears' life and money for nearly 14 years. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
After his suspension from the conservatorship, Jamie filed to end the matter completely and even said through his new attorney that he didn’t want any financial compensation on his way out.
Last month, Jamie was dropped by his legal team of attorneys Vivian L. Thoreen and Geraldinne A. Wyle. The news came after reports suggested the law firm Holland & Knight LLP was no longer representing him out of fear he could be deposed over alleged audiotapes obtained through illegal bugging of Spears’ home and personal devices as well as alleged financial misdealing’s related to the conservatorship.
Legal documents obtained by Fox News at the time suggested that Los Angeles-based attorney Alex M. Weingarten of Willie Farr & Gallagher LLP would step in as Jamie's new counsel.
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In a statement issued to Fox News, Thoreen said she and Holland & Knight LLP are proud of the work done on behalf of Jamie Spears and that they "stand by his and our actions."
"We continue to have a good relationship and are pleased that we have been able to help Jamie find new counsel," Thoreen added. "I am confident that Jamie’s new counsel will continue to prove that he has always acted in Britney’s best interests every step of the way."
However, Spears' lawyer claimed that Jamie only made the move as gamesmanship to avoid being deposed over allegations that he taped Spears’ phone calls. Rosengart also demanded all of the alleged "listening devices" from the singer's home, including her bedroom, be turned over.
Jamie previously responded to the court’s decision to oust him in a statement and pressed through his attorney that he 'loves his daughter Britney unconditionally.' (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Intimate Britney Spears)
In the docs obtained by Fox News, Rosengart cited an email from Oct. 22 from Jamie's new lawyer, who said, "As far as Jamie is concerned, the conservatorship is done and can be terminated immediately ... So it is said in no uncertain terms my client has no interest in continuing the conservatorship and I will join in any effort to terminate immediately ..."
Rosengart argued that "Mr. Spears's reversal was motivated by a desire to bolster his reputation or to avoid his deposition or responding to the outstanding discovery served on him in August."
The outstanding discovery mentioned is any and "all documents and communications relating to any recording or listening device in the home or bedroom of Britney Jean Spears, including all documents and communications relating to the decision to place any such recording or listening device and the records of any such recording."
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Rosengart has demanded "all documents and communications relating to the electronic surveillance, monitoring, cloning, or recording of the activity of Britney Jean Spears' personal telephone, including but not limited to the surveillance, monitoring, cloning, icloud mirroring, or recording of calls, emails, text messages, internet browser use or history, and social media use or direct messages on social media" be turned over.
During his Sept. 29 court defense of Spears, Rosengart said his pop star client "wants, needs and deserves an orderly transition" and further argued that she "has been abused by this man for the last decade and since her childhood."
Following the hearing, Rosengart exited the courthouse to cheers from the large crowd gathered outside and fielded questions from reporters about what Jamie and the public could expect in the coming months.
Twins Edward, right, and John Grimes of Dublin, Ireland, hold a ‘Free Britney’ flag outside a hearing concerning the pop singer's conservatorship at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Spears’ birthday is Dec. 2, and a common theme among #FreeBritney supporters was the idea of seeing their pop queen "free by 40."
"Jamie and others are going to face even more serious ramifications for his misconduct," Rosengart said at the time.
While the suspension of Jamie was handed down, questions still remain as to whether or not Jamie will agree to be deposed by Rosengart over the snooping allegations.
Since gaining significant headway in her quest to end her conservatorship, Spears has traveled internationally and has since gotten engaged to her longtime beau and top supporter, Asghari.
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A wedding date has not yet been announced by the performer.
In the meantime, Spears is reportedly making plans to jump back into the studio now that her conservatorship has ended.
According to TMZ, Spears has no intention of performing for now but is eager to record new music — although she hasn’t yet tapped a producer or songwriter.
The outlet also maintained, citing sources close to Spears, that she’s already begun ironing out her dance moves at a public dance studio and has felt at home being back in the mix.
Fox News' Jamie Brennan, as well as The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
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