The end of Britney Spears’ conservatorship may not mean that her father, Jamie Spears, will stop receiving money from her estate.
Variety reports that that Jamie, who was suspended as Britney’s conservator in September before the entire arrangement was ended in November, has asked that his daughter’s estate keep paying his legal fees. According to court documents, Variety says, he’s petitioned for the court’s “confirmation, authorization and direction” for Britney to pay the lawyers who are involved in his “ongoing fiduciary duties relating to winding up” the conservatorship.
While the conservatorship was in effect, Britney found herself in the bizarre situation of having to pay all of her father’s legal fees, and her own legal fees, which she incurred while attempting to extricate herself from the conservatorship. Variety notes that Jamie’s attorney charges $1,200 per hour.
The court documents read, “It would be contrary to public policy if Jamie’s years of dedication to protect his daughter…could subject him to personal bankruptcy and ruin defending baseless claims….no person would ever want to step into the role as conservator if a conservatee could force a conservator to personally pay substantial legal fees defending unfounded allegations.”
Britney’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, has called Jamie’s request “an abomination,” noting in a statement to Variety, “Mr. Spears reaped many millions of dollars from Britney as a conservator, while paying his lawyers millions more, all from Britney’s work and hard earned money.”
The New York Times estimates that Mr. Spears received $6 million in his role as conservator over the 13 years it was in effect.
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.