James said in a court filing that he didn't want to continue his public battles with his daughter, Britney.
Britney Spears’ father, James Spears, has agreed to step down as the singer's conservator. James, who served as his daughter's conservator for the past 13 years, has agreed to step down after Britney openly stated that she doesn't want her father controlling her life. Britney had described the conservatorship as abusive and had appointed a new attorney, former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart, to end the conservatorship. Rosengart filed a petition last month to Los Angeles Superior Court calling for James to be removed from overseeing her financial affairs immediately, reported Vice News.
James has removed himself as the conservator of the singer's $60m estate but rejected claims of abuse, in a 13-page filing in court on Thursday. “Nevertheless, even as Mr. Spears is the unremitting target of unjustified attacks, he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests,” read the filing. James' attorney said he would work with them for the transition to a new conservator. “So even though he must contest this unjustified petition for his removal, Mr. Spears intends to work with the Court and his daughter’s new attorney to prepare for an orderly transition to a new conservator.” While James committed to removing himself as conservator, he hasn't provided a timeline for his exit from the conservatorship. James, who was named conservator of Britney's estimated $60 million estate in 2008, said he'll step down as her conservator “when the time is right.”
James' attorney also took a potshot at his ex-wife Lynne, saying she should be thanking him instead of accusing him of being controlling and abusive. “Instead of criticizing Mr. Spears, Lynne should be thanking him for ensuring Ms. Spears’ well-being and for persevering through the years-long tenure requiring his 365/24/7 attention, long days and sometimes late nights, to deal with day-to-day and emergency issues—all to protect Ms. Spears and those around her charged with protecting his daughter,” read the filing.
Britney's attorney Rosengart said James' decision to step down was “vindication” for the singer. He also called out her father for targeting Britney. “We are disappointed, however, by their ongoing shameful and reprehensible attacks on Ms. Spears and others,” read a statement by Rosengart, reported Variety. “We look forward to continuing our vigorous investigation into the conduct of Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years, while he reaped millions of dollars from his daughter’s estate, and I look forward to taking Mr. Spears’ sworn deposition in the near future.”
One of the pivotal moments leading up to James agreeing to step down as conservator came when Britney broke her silence and pleaded for an end to her court-ordered conservatorship earlier this year. "I just want my life back," she told California Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Penny, adding that she had been traumatized and depressed due to the conservatorship. Britney had attended the hearing by phone and spoke for more than 20 minutes. The singer informed the court that she was forced to use birth control, take medication, and attend therapy sessions against her will, reported CNN. "I cry every day," Britney told the court, before stating that the 13-year conservatorship had caused her mental stress. "I've lied and told the whole world I'm OK and I'm happy. It's a lie. I've been in denial. I've been in shock. I am traumatized. I'm not happy. I can't sleep. I'm so angry it's insane. And I'm depressed. I cry every day," she said.
She also accused her father of enjoying having control over her life. "My family didn't do a goddamn thing. Anything that happened to me had to be approved by my dad," said Britney. She also accused him of enjoying having control of her life. "I never had a say in my schedule. They always told me I had to do this," she added.
References:
https://variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-father-jamie-spears-quits-conservator-1235040690/
Cover image credit: Getty Images | Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
