A judge’s decision to deny Britney Spears’ father more power over her cases was a rare move that could indicate a diminished confidence in James “Jamie” Spears’s suitability for the role, experts said Friday.
Thursday’s ruling by Judge Brenda Penny of the Los Angeles County Superior Court denied James Spears’ objections to sharing monetary control over the conservatorship with a financial institution, Bessemer Trust, appointed as co-curator last year.
“It seems that the court lacks some confidence in the father,” said attorney David Esquibias, who represented actor Amanda Bynes in her 2014 conservatorship case. the father.’
Spears, 39, is the subject of the recent Hulu documentary, “Framing Britney Spears,” which portrays her as a powerless subject of a secret conservatory in 2008 following what has been described as a public mental breakdown.
James Spears took over as sole curator in 2019 following the departure of attorney Andrew Wallet. Britney Spears and her friends and fans have all made it clear that they distrust her father, and the star has long wanted him removed from the role.
His lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, said in a statement Thursday that he would work with Bessemer “in the best interest of his daughter.”
“My client Jamie Spears has fulfilled his duties as one of Britney’s curators diligently and professionally,” she said, “and his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is evident in court.”
The ruling was not a total win for Britney Spears, but indicates that “ the court is cutting sole control over Britney and her cases for the past many, many years, ” said Scott Rahn, a Los Angeles conservatorship trust and attorney, who is was involved in the Spears case.
Tamar Arminak, a conservatorship attorney who worked with Bynes’ parents, said, “The judge is starting to listen to Britney.”
However, Arminak said the agreement indicates that James Spears will continue to supervise his daughter for a while.
“I don’t think what the court did to suggest that Jamie would ever be removed,” Arminak said. “I think there is a reason they keep Jamie Spears as curator.
“It could be as simple as surveillance and not overcharging or taking advantage of Britney, or it could be long-term. Based on that classified information, there’s a clear reason why she (Penny) still believes in it. Spears’s interest is Jamie as curator. “
