Britney Spears is one step closer to her freedom.
The 39-year-old popstar! scored a big win on Wednesday’s (September 30) court hearing on her conservatorship case: Her father, Jamie Spears, has been suspended as conservator of her estate.
Her father has been overseeing Britney’s fortune and her career since her conservatorship was formed in 2008. In June, Britney attended a court hearing where she broke her silence about her conservatorship, alleging that it was “cruel,” “abusive” and has left her “traumatized,” and that it was her father who “approved all of it.” She also claimed that she had not known she could move to end the conservatorship.
There’s been a whirlwind of developments in the case since – including Mathew taking on Britney’s case in July. Britney’s previous lawyer had been appointed by the court and Mathew is the first legal counsel she was allowed to hire of her own choosing.
This latest development comes after weeks of petitions from both parties, with Britney’s camp filing to terminate her conservatorship and requesting for Jamie’s immediate removal from his role as conservator – to which Jamie responded that he was willing to step down “when the time is right.” His legal team also pushed for the termination of the conservatorship as well.
Jamie’s lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, said in court on Wednesday that her client “has not talked to his daughter in many months, but he’d love to. … Everything Jamie has done is in [Britney’s] best interest.”
“This man does not belong in her life for another day,” Mathew argued. “He must be suspended today. Britney Spears is pleading for it. This is a very easy decision. … My client will be so extraordinarily distraught if Mr. Spears remains conservator for one more day. … If he cares about his daughter, he will resign today.”
Judge Brenda Penny said that “the current situation is not tenable” and ruled to immediately suspend Jamie as conservator of Britney’s $60 Million estate, which is “in the best interest of the conservatee, which is my goal.”
Certified Public Accountant John Zabel, who was nominated by Britney’s lawyer Mathew Rosengart, was appointed as temporary successor. Jodi Montgomery remains as conservator of Britney’s person.
The decision was met with cheers from Britney’s fans who were gathered outside the courthouse.
Mathew also addressed a crowd outside the courtroom regarding the latest development, saying, “[The next court date of] November 12 will be about the termination of the entire conservatorship. It’s a great day for justice. She’s very happy. We’re all very happy.”
Shortly after the suspension, Britney’s fiancé, Sam Asghari, celebrated the decision on social media.
“Free Britney! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!” he wrote in an Instagram Story.
He also shared a photo of a lioness, captioned, “The power of the lioness!!!!! #freebritney” – the “lioness” a nod to his nickname for his fiancée.
Although Britney did not directly address the legal win, she went on Instagram to share that she was “on Cloud 9,” posting a video of herself flying a plane.
“On cloud 9 right now 🤩☁️✈️ !!!!” she wrote in the caption. “First time flying a plane and first time in a prop plane ✈️ !!! Geez I was scared 😳 🙄 !!! Pssss bringing the ship 🛳 home, JL … Stay classy beautiful people !!!!”
In her post, which also contained another video which showed her plane flying over a tropical island, Britney also promised her fans, “New pics coming soon 📷😉✨ !!!!”
The popstar did not attend Wedesday’s hearing. According to People, Sam and Britney left on vacation, with a source telling the outlet, “She wanted to take the stress off ahead of today.”
