BRITNEY Spears’ father Jamie “would love nothing more than to see her not need a conservatorship,” insists his lawyer.
For the past 13 years, Britney, 39, has been under a court-mandated guardianship that means Jamie has controlled her medical and financial decisions.
Following the release of the documentary Framing Britney Spears by the New York Times, the #FreeBritney movement has gained fresh traction and fan efforts demanding the hit maker's freedom have ramped up globally.
Jamie Spears’ attorney, Vivian Lee Thoreen, had previously said in a statement that if Britney wanted to end her conservatorship “she can file a petition.”
Speaking to CNN on the matter, Thoreen said: “[Jamie] would love nothing more than to see Britney not need a conservatorship. Whether or not there is an end to the conservatorship really depends on Britney. If she wants to end her conservatorship, she can file a petition to end it.”
The attorney went on: “Jamie is not suggesting that he is the perfect dad or that he would receive any 'Father of the Year' award.
“Like any parent, he doesn't always see eye-to-eye on what Britney may want but Jamie believes every single decision he has made has been in her best interest.”
Britney’s lawyer Samuel D. Ingham III said in response to Thoreen’s remarks that he “can't comment on a pending case.”
In a previous statement by Jamie's lawyer, she said: "I understand that every story needs a villain but people have it so wrong here.
"This is a story about a fiercely loving, dedicated and loyal father who rescued his daughter from a life threatening situation.
"People were harming her and they were exploiting her. Jamie saved Britney's life," she told Good Morning America's Amy Robach.
Last year, the legendary pop star filed a petition with Los Angeles Superior Court to removed her dad as the sole conservator over her estate and earlier this month, a judge ruled that he won't have sole control.
Britney proposed a financial institution take place of her father to handle her massive net worth and assets.
Earlier this month, Judge Brenda J. Penny appointed Bessemer Trust as a co-conservator and despite Britney's petition, Penny chose not to remove Jamie from his role.
Her longtime attorney Ingham, said last year that Britney was “afraid” of Jamie last year and urged the judge to let a professional bank handle her finances.
Jamie's legal team brought up that “Mr. Spears’ position was made at his daughter’s request," though this occurred back in 2008.
The family patriarch's objection was denied by the judge and he will now have to work with Bessemer Trust as the team creates a budget and investment proposal for Britney's estate together.
Though the financial trust will also have a hand in Jamie's control over his daughter's fortune moving forward, he still remains part of the conservatorship.
People from all over the world – including stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Andy Cohen and Miley Cyrus – have publicly announced their support to Free Britney.
The film took a deep dive into the pop princess' conservatorship – which was implemented in 2008 after she had a mental health breakdown.
The arrangement put her financial and personal assets, along with her estate, under the control of her father Jamie Spears and lawyer Andrew Wallet, who has since resigned.
Britney’s father temporarily stepped down as her conservator due to “personal health reasons,” as Jodi Montgomery was made temporary conservator until January 20, 2020.
The move came after Britney’s ex-husband, Kevin Federline, filed a police report against Jamie, claiming he abused their oldest son, Sean Preston, during an August 24 incident. No criminal charges were filed against Jamie.
Jamie is forbidden from seeing Sean Preston, 15, and Jayden James, 14, for three years after K-Fed was granted a temporary restraining order.
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