Britney Spears and Kevin Federline Reunite for Sons' Preschool Graduation

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

Helping celebrate their sons' latest milestone, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline put on a united front at their boys' preschool graduation.

The pop star, who was joined by parents Jamie and Lynne Spears, and her ex-husband arrived separately at a San Fernando Valley school Thursday, but met up briefly. Preston, 4, and Jayden, 3, were later treated to McDonald's Happy Meals after the ceremony, says a source.

Spears, 28, "was very excited about her boys' graduation and she dressed them up for the festive occasion," the source says.

The exes, who tied the knot in 2004, split in late 2006 before finalizing their divorce a year later. A custody settlement reached in 2008 gave Federline, 32, sole custody of the kids while Spears, who is under the conservatorship of her father, was allowed several weekly visits.

Source: People

Britney Is The Celebrity Of The Decade

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

While that one wacky news station swears that they report and you decide, PopEater really lives up to the mantra. Last week, we asked you to choose from our lot of six megastars who would earn the title 'Celebrity of the Decade.' We laid out our reasoning for why each celebrity was nominated, but in the end, you chose Britney Spears over Angelina Jolie as the most important celebrity of the 2000s. Britney's rise to, fall from and subsequent rise to fame once again apparently won our readers over, as the resilient Spears took 36 percent of the vote.

Of the six celebs who were eligible for this honor, Britney Spears has had the most weathered and dramatic journey of all. In 2000, she was pop music's new queen -- a brilliantly marketed blend of cutesy teen goodness and sexy jailbait badness. In 2006, she was a freight train off the rails, quickly spiraling towards being a publicist's worst nightmare and even worse, many weren't sure she'd make it out of the decade alive. Now, with 2010 approaching and after all of the ups and downs, Britney's back on top of the music world -- proving that divorces, head shavings and psychiatric holds can't keep greatness down.

Britney started off the decade by absolutely demolishing the record charts, selling more than 1.3 million copies of 'Oops! I Did It Again' in the album's first week. Months later at the MTV Video Music Awards, she sizzled on screen in a nude-colored outfit. Britney was growing up ... fast.

Three years later, Britney made similar waves when Madonna passed the pop torch onto her via her tongue during a French kiss at the 2003 VMAs. Why is this even mentioned? Because it's easily one of the top 5 most memorable pop moments of the decade. However, that smooch came close to being the kiss of death for Britney.

In 2004, Brit married her high school boyfriend Jason Alexander for 55 hours ... and then a year later, she tied the knot to Kevin Federline. Two children, a reality show and a whole bunch of drama later, we all know how that worked out. In 2006, the couple was kaput, and Spears barely able to tread the dangerous waters she was floating in.

2006-07 saw Spears at her lowest point. Her divorce sent her spiraling into a downfall, including the infamous shaved head incident, an umbrella attack on photographers, rehab visits and more. This was erratic at its most severe, and many thought Spears could never recover and come back to her pop greatness.

After a very rocky return to stage during 2007s VMAs with an awkward and ill-fitting rendition of her new tune 'Gimme More,' Spears continued to dig herself deeper into the pop ditch, thanks to a wild relationship with paparazzo Adnan Ghalib. She was in the headlines every day thanks to her behavior and sheer who-knows-what-will-happen-next allure.

Then, in 2008, after starting the year by being rushed to a hospital and being placed under a psychiatric hold, Spears slowly began turning things around. She ditched Adnan, reached a custody settlement with Federline, and topped the charts again with her "comeback" album 'Circus.' A year later in 2009, Spears was back on top of the charts again with 'The Singles Collection,' riding the strength of the album's blatantly sexual ode-to-threesomes single '3.'

What the future holds for Miss Spears is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure -- the girl's got some rebounding skills. It's that type of highs-and-lows ability to overcome adversity that put Britney on this list -- and your celebrity of the decade.

Source: Pop Eater

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

Los Angeles court extends James Spears' conservatorship over Britney until the end of 2008

The following italicized article is from www.associatedpress.org:

Britney Spears' father will retain control of the pop singer's finances and personal affairs through the end of the year. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz extended James Spears' conservatorship over his daughter Thursday morning until the end of 2008.

Goetz opened the hearing by saying the singer "reluctantly agreed" to extend the arrangement, and scheduled an update hearing for October.

The pop singer's father assumed control over her personal life and finances earlier this year after a series of high-profile incidents of erratic behavior that twice led to her being hospitalized.

Spears has since shown signs of improvement, settling a custody dispute with Kevin Federline, making successful TV cameos and working on an album this summer.

Neither Spears or her father appeared in court Thursday.

Source: Associated Press

Expert: Britney Spears's Father Likely to Remain in Control

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

Britney Spears's father will likely remain in control of the singer's affairs following a court review Thursday, an expert says.

"I would be very surprised if the court ends her father's control so soon," says Terry K. Wasserman, a mental health attorney not involved in her case. "It's rare for someone to regain their capacity in just 60 days."

Two months ago, Spears's attorney Samuel Ingham testified that the pop star was unfit to take part in legal proceedings. "In fact, they could be harmful to her," Ingham said.

Jamie Spears, 56, was named temporary conservator of her affairs on Feb. 1 following his 26-year-old daughter's two forced hospitalizations in January.

He has sole authority over whom she has contact with, and has hired security guards to watch her 24 hours a day. Her father also shares control with another lawyer over her multimillion-dollar estate.

Conservatorships can last anywhere from several months up to a person's lifetime. "Britney can only regain control of her life if she proves to the court – backed by medical experts – that she's regained her health," Wasserman says.

Thursday's hearing will also determine whether a restraining order will be renewed against the singer's former pal Sam Lutfi.

Last week, Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline, 30, ended their custody battle, reaching a settlement in which Federline retains sole custody of sons Preston, 2 1/2, and Jayden, 1 1/2, with visits by Spears.

Source: People

Britney Spears gives custody to Kevin Federline (and $5,000 more a month)

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

It's over, and Kevin Federline scored big time. And Britney has lost her kids.

According to the final custody agreement reached today (but not yet finalized), KFed gets sole legal and physical custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James.

And a five-grand increase in child support, going from $15,000 a month to $20,000.

And Britney Spears? She gets to keep seeing her kids with overnight visits. There's always a chance that in time she will get more custody.

But for right now, it's a monitered visitation deal. And, according to her lawyer, Laura Wasser, she has her kids tonight.

Maybe it's for the best — and in the best interest of the children right now — but it's sad when a mom loses custody of her kids.

Source: LA Times

Britney Spears' Custody Agreement Finalized:

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

Report Spears ordered to pay legal fees for Kevin Federline, who will get $5,000 more a month in child support.

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's custody settlement is final, according to TMZ.com.

Under the settlement, which was filed Friday (July 25) in L.A. County Superior Court, Spears must pay $250,000 in Federline's legal fees. Also, Federline will get $20,000 a month for child support, up from his previous $15,000. The agreement doesn't mention visitation, TMZ reported.

On July 17, Spears agreed to give Federline sole legal and physical custody of their two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, while she would retain visitation rights. Federline's attorney,

Mark Vincent Kaplan, told E! News last week that the agreement had been signed by all parties but still needed to be approved by the court.

TMZ says Spears will have three days and one night a week with her sons, with more visitation possible in the future. The singer has only been allowed monitored visits with her children since late February, following her multiple hospitalizations. She was recently granted the right to have one overnight visit a week as well.

According to E!, the Federline camp credited Spears' father, Jamie — who was appointed the co-conservator of his daughter's estate in February — for helping to get the troubled 26-year-old singer back on the right path. The conservatorship is up for review at the end of July, at which point a court commissioner will decide whether to make the arrangement permanent. Kaplan said that there is language in the custody agreement that anticipates a possible end to the conservatorship, but he couldn't discuss what those terms are. "Nobody can predict what the future will bring, but ... to the extent possible, I think we have really anticipated how to proceed," he said.

Source: MTV

Britney Spears to pay $20,000 a month child support

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

Singer Britney Spears will pay child support of $20,000 (10,000 pounds) a month to ex-husband Kevin Federline for the care of their two children and will make a final payment of $250,000 to his lawyers, according to an agreement between the couple filed in court on Friday.

The monthly child support payment is a $5,000 increase over what Spears and Federline, a dancer and rap singer, agreed to last year, the court papers showed.

The agreement comes a week after lawyers said they had agreed to a final settlement in the child custody case, averting the need to go to trial.

In an order filed on Friday, the August trial was called off.

Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, told several media organizations on July 17 the agreement would allow Federline to retain sole custody of his children with Spears -- Sean Preston, 2-1/2, and Jayden James, 22 months.

Spears' $250,000 payment for Federline's legal expenses is due July 30.

Spears, 26, and Federline, 30, married in 2004, split up in late 2006 and their divorce was finalized last year. Spears lost custody of the two boys in January after two brief hospitalizations for psychiatric evaluation.

Source: Reuters

Spears and Federline Settle Custody Case

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

A custody settlement between Britney Spears and Kevin Federline has been finalized, including a $5,000-per-month child-support increase for the pop singer's ex-husband.

Attorneys delivered the terms of the agreement to a Los Angeles Superior Court office Friday afternoon. According to the documents, Spears' payments to Federline go from $15,000 to $20,000 per month, retroactive to July 15.

Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, also gets a single payment of $250,000 as a part of the agreement.

Last week, the parties said they had reached an agreement that would grant the 26-year-old pop singer more time with her children, including additional overnight visits

Source: Associated Press

Britney Spears Makes Surprise Appearance at Fundraiser

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

A radiant-looking Britney Spears made a surprise appearance at a fundraiser for Jenny McCarthy's autism charity Generation Rescue in Los Angeles Saturday.

As guests Jim Carrey, Charlie Sheen and wife Brooke Mueller made the rounds, Spears, 26, sipped on red wine.

Carrey's daughter Jane later took to the stage to belt out a few Frank Sinatra and Jackson 5 tunes.

Britney was "looking happy," an eyewitness says. "She looked incredible - like the Britney we used to know. She was clapping and smiling a lot."

It was Spears' first public outing since reaching a custody agreement with ex-husband Kevin Federline last week.

While Federline gets sole custody, Spears gets three visits a week from Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, including two overnights.

If all goes well, she could have her boys roughly 40 percent of the time, her attorney, Laura Wasser, has said.

Wasser told the Associated Press the "difference" in Spears "from the beginning of this year to now is astonishing."

Meanwhile, the 'Toxic' hitmaker -- who is set to appear with Madonna on her Sticky and Sweet tour later this year -- is due to spend the summer recording her new album, Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, confirmed.

Source: Showbiz Spy

Britney's Child Support Payments Increased!

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

Britney Spears may have gotten the expanded visitation rights with her children she'd been seeking earlier this morning - but her victory comes with a whopper of a price tag!

People reports that one key agreement in Britney and Kevin Federline's custody settlement increases the amount of child support the pop singer must pay her ex-husband by $5000, raising Federline's monthly total from $15,000 to $20,000.

"All Britney was seeking was a formalization of her increased visitation that she's obtained over recent weeks, and the additional overnight," a source told the mag. "She won both of those requests."

And K-Fed won't be the only party getting a payday from the pop princess - the source also tells People that Kevin's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan successfully demanded $250,000 for all his work on the case!

Guess that would explain Kaplan's supremely self-satisfied attitude in his post-court press conference - we'd be cocky too if we had a quarter of a million bucks coming our way!

We're a little shocked by this news - after all, didn't Britney already give up enough?

Source: X17

Kaplan "Trial Averted"

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

Kevin Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, just addressed the media outside of the courthouse on the new custody agreement between Britney and Kevin.

In what he dubbed one of the "most anti-climatic moments of your [the journalists'] professional life", Kaplan confirmed that "there's an agreement," the terms of which he wouldn't disclose because at the moment it's a "private agreement" which must "be converted into a legal document with the court," before it can be a final order.

But Kaplan confirmed that "a trial has been averted."

"This has been a long ordeal, and to have that over is extremely rewarding," Kaplan told the press.

"Any settlement requires some movement. The beauty of resolving things by agreement is you take all the chance out of the defined result," Kaplan explained, and can "avoid the economic and emotional cost that comes with any custody case."

We sincerely hope all parties concerned are happy with the outcome!

Source: X17

Britney The Peacemaker!

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

We've been wondering why Britney Spears would willingly give up custody of her young sons ever since the news first broke - until now!

Avoiding A Trial

Calling the decision a "victory for the entire family," Britney's attorney Laura Wasser confirmed in the courthouse that the pop princess' decision to give her ex-husband full custody of their children was significantly motivated by her desire to avoid a trial.

"[Britney and Kevin] have finally figured out a way to work together as co-parents, and the kids will benefit as a result of that," Wasser told reporters.

Court spokesman Allan Parachini confirmed Wasser's statement, claiming that "a resolution is imminent" and describing the decision as "a maneuver that may avoid a trial".

At the moment, Britney and Kevin's August trial date remains on the books on the Court calendar as a three-day custody hearing, but all involved are hoping that this resolution eliminates the need for a trial neither party wants.

"[Britney and Kevin] both want to avoid a trial," Wasser said. "It's not necesssary, it's not cost effective."

Britney Gets More Time With The Kids?Of course, Britney's not giving up full custody of her boys for nothing - in fact, Wasser says the pop starlet may end up spending more time with her boys!

According to Wasser, Britney can expect "more custodial time" with Sean and Jayden in the future. In fact, Wasser says she's visiting with the boys right now - and she'll keep them until at least tomorrow!

"Britney will get more custodial time by the end of the year," Wasser said, claiming that the trial has always been about increasing Britney's time with the boys rather than a simple custody dispute.

Besides, as Wasser points out, the agreement could change at any moment - in her words, "there's no such thing as a permanent custody order!"

Source: X17

Britney Immerses Herself In Work

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

X17online can exclusively report that while Britney and Kevin's lawyers were hashing out a new custody agreement last night, Britney was at Ben Kitay productions in Hollywood.

Photogs say she was at the studio from 9pm until 10:30 at night, auditioning dancers presumably for a music video for her next single!

But as excited as we are for a new Britney album, is this really what she wants or needs right now? According to the Post, she'd rather concentrate on her acting career, but Jive records and manager Larry Rudolph are forcing her to spend "the summer in the studio, working on a brand-new album"!

Source: X17

Britney Spears And Kevin Federline Finally Reach Custody Agreement

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

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have finally reached an agreement over the care of their two young sons.

The former couple has been embroiled in a bitter 18-month custody battle over sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, since the breakdown of their marriage in November 2006.

But the pair finally agreed terms of care on Thursday although they still need to be approved by a judge.

Federline retains sole custody of the couple's two sons. Spears - who is currently allowed two visits and one overnight stay each week - will keep her visitation rights.

Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, tells E! News, "The case has been settled. The court still has to approve it."

However, Spears' family lawyer Lynn Soodik - who does not represent her in this case - has hinted the singer may request extra visitation in the future.

She tells People.com, "Until the kids turn 18, we can expect in years to come that Britney and Kevin will be back in court.

"Britney will have a better chance of winning more custody once she regains her health. This is just the end of Round One."

Source: Star Pulse

Britney Spears give sole custody to Kevin Federline. For now.

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

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have reportedly reached a settlement in their acrimonious 1½-year-long court battle over custody of their two sons.

Federline has sole custody of Preston, 2, and Jayden, 1. And Spears keeps her current status of two visits and one overnight per week.

That's it? Hmm. Doesn't sound like much for Britney to celebrate.

"The case has been settled," Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, told E! "The court still has to approve it."

Both parties are due in court today.

The legal battle began in 2007 with 50-50 custody.

But after Spears had her series of public meltdowns and was hospitalized twice for mental health problems, she lost custody and even visitation rights, which were only recently and gradually reinstated to what they are now.

Many Britney watchers credit the appearance of her father, Jamie Spears, in her life in February (he has legal control of her affairs) for her abrupt turnaround. It remains to be seen if she can stay on the current spotless path that her dad has put her on if he's not around.
Britney will surely try to gain more custody of her kids.

So it's not over yet, folks. Do you think she'll keep trying to get babies back? And is it a good idea for the kids?

Source: LA Times

OMG! - Brit Gives Up On The Kids! Gives Kevin Sole Custody!!!

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

Last night a deal was struck between Britney and K-Fed and Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan announced the pop star would give sold legal and physical custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James to her ex-husband while she maintains visitation rights, according to Eonline.

So next up -- the conservatorship hearing. Will Jamie be kicked out or will Brit give up on that too and tell the court she needs someone to guide her life? Maybe she does!

Both parties are due in court today to get the deal signed by a judge and then it's done - a two year battle fought half-ass by Brit and now she's pretty much giving up.

Who the hell told her to do this? Is this dad Jamie's advice? Does this mean there's no hope of Britney ever being really "well" again? How could you give up on your kids unless you were sick???

Kaplan told E!:

"Kevin's was not [out] to get custody. Kevin's goal was to set up some kind of template so the mother of his children can co-parent ... Nobody could have anticipated the terms of events that have occurred....This was a two-year journey that will be halted at a point that is good for these children. Custody is always modifiable. If there is a final order, it means there is nothing to try."

So that's it! It's over!

And what about if Jaime's conservatorship over Brit and her estate ends on July 31 at the next hearing ... or if not, when it ends at some date after that?:

"While I can't tell you the terms, the order does anticipate what happens if the conservatorship is ended," Kaplan told E! News. "The devil is always in the details and this is a very detailed deal memo."

We caught up with Kaplan last night at a press conference STK after he dined and he told us:

"I'm very pleased with the outcome and it sets up a way for both parents to be very involved without subjecting anything to chance in the future."

Video coming soon ...

Source: X17

Report: Britney Spears & Kevin Federline Settle Custody Battle

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

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have ended their custody fight for their two sons, according to E! Online.

Federline will reportedly get sole custody of their two son’s, Sean Preston and Jayden James, while Spears will continue to have visitation rights, according to the agreement signed by both parties.

“The case has been settled,” Federline’s attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, told E! Online. “The court still has to approve it. "

The former couple is due in court Friday.

Source: Access Hollywood

Britney Spears is back in the studio

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

Rebounding from what seemed like an endless spiral of personal crises and public meltdowns, tabloid queen Britney Spears is back in the studio and at work on a "brand-new album," according to a joint statement released by the pop icon's manager, Larry Rudolph, and her label, Jive Records.

"Britney Spears is spending her summer in the recording studio," the statement, released Tuesday, says. "She's working with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters. And we're very excited about what she's achieved so far."

No release date for her sixth studio album has been set, and none of her collaborators is named in the statement. But producers JR Rotem, Sean Garrett, Guy Sigsworth, Nate "Danja" Hills, Bloodshy & Avantand Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins have independently revealed that they are contributing to the project.

"Stuff we did so far is really dance-y, really up-tempo," Jerkins told Rap-Up TV last month.

"Real aggressive and catchy. Very, very, very hook-friendly."

With the intention of resurrecting her career, the multi-platinum-selling mother of two released "Blackout" last fall, which opened at No. 2 on the national album chart and was ranked among Rolling Stone magazine's Top 50 albums of 2007. Recorded during the time Spears, 26, was pregnant with her second son, Jayden James, and separating from Kevin Federline, the CD featured collaborations with producer-performers including Pharrell Williams and T-Pain.

But "Blackout's" commercial reception was ultimately overshadowed by Spears' erratic behavior that year, which included shaving her head in a Sherman Oaks beauty salon, attacking a paparazzo's car with an umbrella, checking into and out of rehab, blowing off custody hearings and turning in a disastrous performance of the album's lead single, "Gimme More," at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

Further presaging Spears' return to center stage, the "pop wreck" has kept busy by making appearances in others' videos. Last month, she appeared at a shoot for the bump-and-grind pop quintet the Pussycat Dolls' single "When I Grow Up." And earlier this month, Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg confirmed that Spears was set to film a "short movie" that would be part of the Material Girl's Sweet and Sticky tour, kicking off in Berlin next month.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Spears Cleans Up For Madonna

The following italicized article is from www.thesun.co.uk:

HERE are the first shots of BRITNEY SPEARS cameo for pal MADONNA'S upcoming world tour.

The troubled singer filmed the intense scenes for holographic video footage to be shown at Madge's Sticky and Sweet concerts.

Judging by these pics of Britney - who had a couple of high profile meltdowns earlier this - she's starting to sort herself out.

Wearing what appears to be a black wetsuit in one of the scenes, the singer looks toned and blemish-free.

Even her scruffy hair has been transformed into a barnet that's fit for a shampoo ad.

Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour kicks off in Cardiff on August 23.

Meanwhile, it looks as though Britney may have patched things up with ex KEVIN FEDERLINE.

The former couple's latest court hearing has been postponed and US gossip website TMZ is suggesting they have come to an agreement in their custody battle.

See the pics here

Source: The Sun