Jamie Spears, the father of pop star Britney Spears, indicated that he will quit his role as conservator of his daughter’s estate, according to a court filing provided Thursday by Britney Spears’ attorney.
The relationship between Britney Spears and her father has grown contentious with her claims that, as her conservator, Jamie Spears has not served the singer’s best interests.
In June and July, Britney Spears testified she was forced to undergo medical treatments against her will and had limited control over her life due to the conservatorship, which she characterized as “abusive,” according to the Associated Press.
The ensuing online support for the singer — dubbed the #FreeBritney movement — seeks to remove Jamie Spears as conservator and has led to protests and rallies outside the Los Angeles courthouse where hearings have been taking place.
Jamie Spears’ attorney argued in the filing that the petition to remove her client as conservator was “unjustified,” but given the mounting public pressure, the elder Spears realizes that it is in his daughter’s best interest to have a new conservator appointed.
“Mr. Spears intends to work with the Court and his daughter’s new attorney to prepare for an orderly transition to a new conservator,” Jamie Spears’ attorney wrote in the filing.
According to the filing, Spears’ removal as conservator is likely to be heard on Sept. 29.
Jamie Spears’ attorney added that her client has always worked to benefit his daughter.
“Mr. Spears was the best choice to serve as his daughter’s conservator. No one knew Ms. Spears better, and no one loved her as much as a parent could,” the attorney wrote.
Britney Spears’ attorney disputed that characterization in an email.
“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’s sworn deposition in the near future,” the singer’s attorney said.
Until this filing, Jamie Spears had resisted his removal as conservator. Despite the elder Spears’ agreement to hand over control of the conservatorship, Britney Spears’ attorney was not satisfied with the timeline, adding that he’d like to see his client’s father step down at once.
“In the interim, rather than making false accusations and taking cheap shots at his own daughter, Mr. Spears should remain silent and step aside immediately,” the singer’s attorney wrote.