Britney Spears’s father said in a court filing on Thursday that he is planning to step down from the conservatorship that has been controlling the star’s life and money since 2008. However, her father, James Spears, did not give a timetable for when he will be exiting the conservatorship.
According to AP News, Spears filed legal documents saying that, despite there being no grounds for his removal, he will step down after several lingering issues are resolved.
“Mr. Spears is willing to step down when the time is right, but the transition needs to be orderly and include a resolution of matters pending before the Court.” The filing also says that Spears will fight the petition to force him out but will work with the court and Britney Spears’ new attorney, Matthew Rosengart.
The decision comes after Spears’s situation became more and more prominent because of her fans and the #FreeBritney movement, but the fight has been drastically ramped up since Britney hired Rosengart. The conservatorship gave James Spears control over his daughter’s personal affairs, until 2019 when Jodi Montgomery took over control from him, and money, which he is still in control of to this day.
Britney spoke before the court in June and July calling the conservatorship “abusive.” According to AP News, Spears spoke about being required to use an intrauterine device for birth control, take medication against her will, and being prevented from getting married, having another child, or riding in her boyfriend’s car.
Rosengart sees this as vindication for Britney but is not taking the pressure off James Spears as they will continue investigating the conduct of Spears, and others, over the past 13 years.
