New details are emerging about just what it cost pop singer Britney Spears to free herself from her father’s conservatorship.
“PEOPLE” reports that Britney agreed to pay father Jamie Spears’ outstanding legal bills totaling $2.12 million. Half a million of that reportedly went to the Saul Ewing firm. (Hal Morris, the general counsel at the firm, signed the contract.) And $1.62 million went to Willkie Farr & Gallagher (partner Alex M. Weingarten signed). “PEOPLE” reports Britney had just 60 days to pay both fees in full, or she’d accrue further costs of court and attorney fees, even post-judgement interest.
GettyBritney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears leaves the Los Angeles County Superior courthouse
Legal Battle Over Control of Britney’s Finances Lasted 13 Years
Britney Spears had been under her father’s financial control for 13 years. In November 2021, a Los Angeles County judge terminated Britney’s conservatorship, which had given her estranged father Jamie Spears control of his daughter’s personal and financial affairs.
At the time, Britney’s former attorney Matthew S. Rosengart protested against Britney having to pay any of her father’s legal fees. In court documents filed by Rosengart on Jan. 14, 2022 — and obtained by “PEOPLE” — Britney’s legal team accused Jamie of paying himself more than $6 million throughout the conservatorship, surveilling his daughter and committing financial misconduct while he was a conservator. Jamie Spears has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing throughout the legal battle. The 43-year-old singer and her 72-year-old father finally settled their legal battle on April 25, 2024. But at that time, terms were not disclosed in court filings.
According to “PEOPLE,” the agreement states that “no parties concede any admission of fact, claim, liability or wrongdoing.” All parties also waived the rights to an appeal.
Despite Cost, Sources Call Settlement “Great” for Britney
Despite having to shell out more than $2 million to regain control of her life and her finances, sources tell “PEOPLE” the settlement was a win for the “Toxic” singer. “It was a great result for Britney because it also avoided the possibility of ever having her testify in court, which she did not want to do, and avoided a media circus,” says the source.
And according to attorneys, Britney’s father Jamie Spears is also happy with the settlement. “Jamie is thrilled that the case was settled,” Alex Weingarten, Jamie’s attorney, told “PEOPLE” in a statement on Thursday, Feb. 20. “He has only ever wanted what is best for Britney, whom he loves very much. Jamie’s work as conservator has ultimately been vindicated and the world knows how hard he worked to protect her.”
Spears Reunites with Sons, Continues to Post Videos of Dancing
Spears continues to post frequent videos of herself dancing on Instagram, where she has nearly 42 million followers.
The singer, who shares sons Sean Preston, 19, and Jayden James, 18, with ex-husband Kevin Federline, has also posted videos and pictures of son Jayden spending Christmas with her. In the posts, Britney says she hadn’t seen her sons for at least two years before the visit.
Related
Source link
