Britney Spears -- Conservatorship Extended

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney Spears will remain under the watchful eye of her father -- now that a judge has ruled to extend her conservatorship.

The judge didn't specify how long the conservatorship will remain in place, but lawyers involved in the matter tell TMZ they expect it to last somewhere between six months and a year.

Under the ruling, Britney's dad, Jamie Spears, will continue to receive a $16,000-a-month payment for his duties. Andrew Wallet -- the co-conservator -- was also granted a $174,569.10 payment for services rendered between July 2009 and November 2009.

The judge also authorized Britney's conservatorship to kick out close to $300,000 in attorney's fees.

The next hearing is set for January 14th.

Source: TMZ

Brit's Lawyer: She'll Sing, I Promise

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

TMZ has learned the attorney for Britney Spears' conservatorship has guaranteed Britney will meet all her obligations on her concert tour -- and he's putting his money where his mouth is.

We've obtained documents showing attorney Andrew Wallet has given his personal assurance -- to the tune of $1.5 million -- that if Britney flakes out, he'll pay up.

The conservatorship made numerous deals for the tour last year, and vendors wanted to make sure those deals would be honored. It's common practice to get what amounts to a bond when the subject of the contract is under a conservatorship.

The document, which was signed by the court on December 22, 2008, also makes American Contractors Indemnity Company a guarantor.

In short, this means that if Britney goes south, Wallet won't have to open his -- the insurance company will take care of it.

Source: TMZ

Britney Court Update!

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

X17 was at Los Angeles Superior Court this morning, and though Britney was not present for the hearing, Jamie Spears' attorneys Andrew Wallet (who is also Britney's co-conservator) and Geraldine Wyle told us the pop princess "is doing really well." Commissioner Goetz issued a "conditional sealing request" to protect Britney's "trade secrets," and no other information was given. The next hearing will take place on Thursday September 25, 2008.

Source: X17

Britney's Other Conservator Weighs In

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

It's been pretty easy to forget that Britney Spears has two conservators.

With papa Jamie Spears getting all the attention this year for his hands-on involvement with his 26-year-old daughter and the $2,500 he's been getting each week for all that paternal management, coconservator Andrew Wallet has remained in the shadows.

But now he's submitted his bill.

The Los Angeles-based attorney, who has been on the more financial, business-minded end of things—while Jamie has squired his daughter everywhere from Koi to Costa Rica—has filed paperwork requesting that L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz approve payment of another $141,961 from Britney's estate for services rendered.

Coupled with the fees he has already received, Wallet's services have cost the popster $324,961.
He is also requesting that Goetz approve additional payments of up to $30,000 per month for future investigating, wrangling, deal-making and paper-shuffling on Britney's behalf.

A host of other legal eagles who have been advising Britney and Jamie Spears since the conservatorship was formed Feb. 1 filed transaction requests last week, asking for fees that collectively totaled nearly $350,000.

Source: E! Online

BREAKING NEWS: Britney Spears Under Dad's Control Until December 31

The following italicized article is from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears will be under the conservatorship of her father Jamie until December 31, it was decided in court Thursday.

"Ms. Spears is reluctantly agreeing to extend the temporary [conservatorship]," L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz said after the hearing.

The commissioner also said Jamie's conservatorship could be "terminated earlier." A status hearing was set for October 28.

Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet were put in control of the pop singer's finances and estate in February after she was hospitalized in January.

While Jamie was not spotted at the courthouse Thursday, Britney's brother Bryan was. When asked by Usmagazine.com if he had a comment, he shook his head.

Since Spears' father was put in charge, she has reunited with her sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 22 months.

Kevin Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told Usmagazine.com that a reunion "couldn't have happened without" the help of Spears' father.

"We were able to get it to a point where everyone was comfortable,” Kaplan told Us.

“We’re just very positive about it," he said. "Having her dad stabilizing everything is a good thing."

Source: Us Weekly

Britney Spears Seeks Quiet Home for Her Kids

The following italicized article is from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears wants to move from her L.A. house to "a lower density, more quiet and less trafficked neighborhood," according to a court document filed by her co-conservators, father Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet.

The singer would like a home "more accessible to parks and recreation areas" for her children, Sean Preston, 2 1/2, and Jayden James, 1 1/2, the document says.

Saturday night was the first time Sean and Jayden spent an overnight visit with Spears, 26, since she was hospitalized at L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in January.

The sale of her L.A. home would be in "the best interest of [Spears], her Estate and her minor children," the document says.

Earlier this month, Spears was granted permission to sell the six-bedroom home. At the time, mom Lynne told the court that her daughter "intends to return to Louisiana," her home state.
(See pics of Britney and her parents through the years.)

Meanwhile, Spears and ex Kevin Federline are preparing for a custody trial, set to begin August 25. Federline currently has primary custody of their children.

Source: US Weekly

Brit's Lawyers Say "Pay Up!"

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

Britney Spears' conservators were back in court again on Thursday afternoon, where they discussed, among other things, the subject of payment.

Commissioner Goetz agreed to advance Andrew Wallet, Sam Ingham and attorneys for the conservators exactly half the money they are expected to bill for. Ingham, Brit's court-appointed attorney will be getting $10,000 a week through July 31.

Co-conservator Wallet gets $100,000 and the Luce Forward law firm will get $175,000 — and that's just for work done through March 31.

Clark Byam, another attorney, will get $22,500. Stacy Phillips, the lawyer repping Brit in the family law case, will get $75,000 — also for work through March 31.

Meanwhile, Comm. Goetz once again struck down a March 17 filing by Jon Eardley to present 'on record' the declaration of retired UCLA Law professor William McGovern. Eardley still claims he is working for Britney and that the current conservatorship is violating her civil rights.

After throwing the motion out, the judge said, "Judge Gutierez in the federal court, as well as this court several times, have made findings that show Eardley is not an attorney of record for Ms. Spears. There has been no finding that he represents her."

Everyone will be back in court on May 29 for the next conservatorship hearing.

Regarding Brit's custody case, the singer is required to complete a 730 psych evaluation by May 6. She has repeatedly refused to turn in any form of evaluation in the past, so it will be interesting to see if she complies this time.

Also on May 6, Britney is expected to ask for overnight visits with her sons. However, if she once again refuses to complete a psych evaluation, Commissioner Gordon may not consider that request.

Source: OK Magazine

Britney Takes It In The End

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The commissioner in the Britney Spears conservatorship case has just ordered that a sh*tload of fees be paid to various lawyers in the case -- and Brit, of course, will foot the bill.

The Commish has ordered that court-appointed lawyer Sam Ingham can get $10,000 a week through July 31. What the hell is wrong with hiring Jacoby and Meyers?

But that's just the beginning. Andrew Wallet, a co-conservator, just got the green light for $100,000. And the Luce Forward law firm will get $175,000, and that's just for their work through March 31.

Clark Byam, another attorney, will get $22,500. Stacy Phillips, the lawyer repping Brit in the family law case, will get $75,000 for work through March 31.

And Brit pays it all. Ding dang, ya'll. Where's Shakespeare when ya need him?

Source: TMZ

Brit's Dad is Selling Her Cars

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

After being ordered on Monday to pay more of Kevin Federline's legal fees, the conservators for Britney Spears are wasting no time tightening her purse strings.

During Monday's hearing, Commissioner Goetz authorized Jamie Spears and co-conservator, Andrew Wallet, to sell a few of brit's cars. The exact makes and models were not available and it's not clear how many of the singer's cars will be sold.

But just for fun, let's think: there's the white Mini-Coup, the grey Audi, the black Mercedes, the white Mercedes and at least two leased black Escalades...

Co-conservator Andrew Wallet made the request today in court. Britney's court appointed attorney, Sam Ingham, was also there. His response to the request: "I have no objection to that."

Meanwhile, the commish also signed off on an extension to the conservator's restraining order against Sam Lutfi. The order remains in effect until April 16. As OK! reported yesterday, the request was granted swiftly and without a showdown because Sam reportedly agreed to having the order extended. Apparantly he thinks it's best for both him and the Britster.

And, our reaction to that, as it was yesterday, is: UH-HUH!

Source: OK Magazine

Brit's Dad Selling Her Rides From Under Her

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney's conservators got the judge today to authorize them to sell some of Brit's cars. Thank God someone is trying to get her off the road!

Co-conservator Andrew Wallet made the request in court. The exact makes and models of the cars were not discussed in open court.

The judge also did what TMZ told you he'd do -- extended the restraining order against Sam Lutfi for another month.

As we first reported, Lutfi agreed not to fight the restraining order and allow the extension. That means Lutfi must continue to stay 2 1/2 football fields away from the Britster and basically have no contact with her at all.

Source: TMZ

Another Day in Court for Brit's Parents

The following italicized article is taken from www.ok-magazine.com:

As predicted by OK! after last night's return to old form for Britney Spears, lawyers for her father Jamie Spears are back in an L.A. court this afternoon where sources tell OK! they are expected to ask the judge to strengthen the existing conservatorship order that gives Jamie and co-conservator, attorney Andrew Wallet, temporary control over Brit's financial and medical decisions.

Wallet and lawyers from the firm Luce-Forward are in place at the courthouse now, and sources tell OK! that Jamie will soon be making his way there. It is not yet known if Brit's mother Lynne Spears will be attending the hearing.

Stay tuned to OK! as the story develops.

Source: OK Magazine

Attorney: Britney Spears Objects to Father's Control

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

Britney Spears expressed "strong desire" against her father's temporary control over her affairs – including her $40 million fortune, a lawyer said in court Monday.

Her father's conservatorship "would only cause further distress, agitation and estrangement," said estate attorney Adam Streisand, who asserted he was hired by Spears over the weekend.

In addition, Streisand argued that co-temporary conservator Andrew Wallet "simply doesn't have the knowledge" to manage Spears's vast estate, which he valued at $40 million, he said at a hearing.

Streisand, who's reportedly related to the singer of the same name, instead suggested that Northern Trust Bank be named as the temporary guardian of her wealth.

Jamie Spears, wearing a navy suit, was present in the courtroom, looked solemn, but did not speak.

His lawyers began with an opening statement asserting that Jamie Spears has no interest in taking her wealth, but rather watching over it until his daughter recovers, with the eventual hope she's reunited with her children.

Wallet vehemently argued that the court be shown proof that Britney Spears was of sound mind to hire Streisand.

Spear's 'Lacks Capacity' to Hire a Lawyer

A court-appointed lawyer for Britney Spears was also present, and testified that he met with the singer at the hospital Sunday for about 10 minutes.

He added that in his opinion, the pop star "does not understand the nature of these proceedings" or their impact on her future. He added, "I think she's lacks capacity" to hire a private lawyer.

It was also revealed by Jaime Spears's attorneys that despite a restraining order issued Friday, the singer's pal Sam Lutfi had "spoken to Ms. Spears by telephone."

The father's lawyers expressed difficulty at subpoenaing Lutfi with the order, saying he would not answer the door when a person came to serve him recently.

The court was then closed to the public, and no rulings of whether to replace her father as temporary conservator have been reached thus far.

Source: People

Jamie Wants to S**t Can Brit's Divorce Lawyers

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Adam Streisand has just told TMZ in the hallway the conservators (Jamie Spears and Andrew Wallet) have asked the court for the power to terminate the services of Britney's divorce lawyers, Trope and Trope.

Sources tell TMZ Jamie is especially irked that the Trope firm has a good relationship with Jamie's arch enemy, Sam Lutfi.

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ