Why Is Brit So Mad???!!!!

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

Because we're there taking pictures of her? ... I don't think that's it ...

Whatever went on inside this Beverly Hills office building this afternoon put Britney in a baaaaddd mood.

Gotta love the Double-Purse technique!

What's got Brit so down???

I guess her mood turned around 'cause we just saw her out at Koi tonight for dinner. Stay tuned for those pix and video!

See more here!

Source: X17

Britney on Her Way

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

Britney Spears is on her way to court with one of her lawyers. She is relaxed and ready to face the judge eye to eye and explain why she deserves more face time with her kids.

We are live streaming her arrival.

Stay tuned ...

See the live stream here!

Source: TMZ

Spears' Parenting Skills Scrutinized

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

The verdict is in on the Britster's parenting know-how.

But we're just going to have to wait a little bit longer to find out if she gets a thumbs up or thumbs down from the court.

E! News has confirmed that a child custody evaluation report detailing the pros and cons of Britney Spears' mothering has been completed.

The report, commissioned by a Los Angeles family court in Spears' ongoing battle with ex-hubby Kevin Federline over young sons Sean Preston and Jayden James, was filed Friday by Dr. Jane Shatz.

Lawyers for both Spears and Federline declined to comment on the substance of the document.

While no specific positives or criticisms have been made public, the report's findings are expected to get a full airing at the next hearing in the case, set for May 6, when attorneys are planning to debate merits of a modified custody arrangement.

Spears, who has typically avoided courtroom showdowns in the matter, may actually show this time to defend herself.

Source: E! Online

All Fingers in Brit Case Point to TMZ!

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

So we just got our mitts on a bunch of papers in the Britney Spears custody case, and it appears Brit's former lawyers are using TMZ to prove who was leaking info like Brandon Davis at a beer fest.

According to a declaration filed by attorney Hillary Slevin, she seems to be saying what triggered her firm's interest in a gag order was a bunch of stuff we were putting on the website.

ITEM: "On December 12, 2007 ... I was viewing the website known as TMZ.com At that time I saw that TMZ.com had set up a streaming video in front of building where counsel for respondent, Mark Vincent Kaplan has his office."

ITEM: "The video continued to play throughout the morning ... At approximately 10:50 AM the text stated that Petitioner (Brit) would not be appearing for her deposition because she was ill."

And it goes on and on, suggesting that K-Daddy's lawyer may have been the leak. Note to Hillary: How do you think we would get information about why Britney wouldn't be attending the depo? Of course, we're not sayin ...

Source: TMZ

Courthouse Update - Brintey Owes Kaplan $375,000

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

Irony alert! - Brit's gotta pay her ex-husband's attorney's fees - she'll write a check to the guy who helped put Brit in the UCLA psych ward and take her babies away from her!

Judge Reza Goetz today, ordered Britney to pay KFed's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, $375,000 for his services.

Media reports had previous put the amount Kaplan was claiming at half a million, but Kaplan himself cleared that up after court last time, telling the press he was actually asking for a fee of $405,000.

So what happens to the missing thirty grand? Well, that's what the lawyers are probably arguing about now! Will Britney have to make up the difference? Will Kevin finally be forced to drop some dough on something other than a big tip at a restaurant? Or might Kaplan be the bigger man and take a thirty thousand dollar hit for his client? Stay tuned - we'll let you know when we hear anything!

Source: X17 Online

Commish to Brit - I'll Get Back to You on That

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

Commissioner Scott Gordon has decided he wants to take some time to rule on the battle over attorneys fees, saying he will take it all under submission.

The commish did rule on visitation -- no changes were made.

K-Fed was in attendance for the hearing, answering just a couple of questions, giving brief answers.

The next hearing on custody is scheduled for May 6.

Source: TMZ

Britney/Shakespeare -- Kill Lawyers

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

In a stunning development, Britney Spears and Bill Shakespeare have something in common -- they both want to kill all the lawyers.

The custody case is back in court this morning, and Brit's lawyer will make a frontal attack on the lawyers on both sides of the case. We know the firm that just quit the case -- Trope and Trope -- has billed Brit more than $600,000 in legal fees over the last five months they repped her. And K-Daddy's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, has billed half a mil over the last four months. The court has already ruled Brit has to pay MVK's "reasonable" attorney's fees.

We're told it's going to get hot in court. There's been a theory for a long time -- some divorce lawyers use the pain of a split to fleece clients and keep the dispute alive when it should be settled. Whether true or not in this case, we're told that's what Brit's lawyer will argue.

One of the points will be that multiple lawyers on both sides have appeared for every hearing and it's just to jack up the bill.

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

The Court's Lips Are Sealed

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

A rep for the court just came out of the hearing ... but can't tell us anything!

We're told that today's hearing with Jamie's lawyers and Brit's co-conservator is over, but court spokesman Allan Parachini tells TMZ, "Everything about this matter is sealed" -- and cannot disclose even why they are in court.

We have learned, however, that a motion filed today by Spears' conservator was unopposed.

We're working on exactly what went down.

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

Britney Pleads With Father: 'Let's Get Out Of Here'

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

Britney Spears's father has recounted a heartbreaking meeting with his confused daughter as she struggled to cope in a psychiatric hospital.

"Come on, daddy, let's get out of here. Take my hand and let's walk out of here together," Britney said, according to Jamie Spears.

Jamie told her daughter: "I wish I could, but I can't."

In court papers filed as part of his effort to take over his daughter's affairs, Jamie Spears described how he arrived at UCLA Medical Center on Sunday. Britney had called him several times while he was working as a caterer for a Super Bowl party, urging him to see her. (Click here to view the complete document.)

Jamie Spears, who had spent several hours with Britney the day before at the hospital, found his daughter lying in bed. He leaned over to kiss her, but she turned her head away.

"I love you," he told her.

"No, you don't," said Britney. She got out of bed and said, "The doctor told me you are keeping me in here."

Jamie Spears denied it, but Britney insisted, saying, "Somebody's lying. You put me in here."

After the nurse assured Britney that, "Your daddy is not keeping you here; the hospital is keeping you here," Britney turned to her father. That was when she pleaded to leave – and her father said they couldn't.

When Britney became agitated, her father started talking about her sons Jayden and Preston, now in the custody of their father, Kevin Federline.

"Do you want me to help you get your babies back?" he asked her.

Britney, "No, I have new lawyers that will help me with my stuff."

But her father had to tell her that she had not actually fired her custody lawyers, and that there were now new lawyers involved in dealing with her affairs. Jamie said that if she needed help with the custody case, he would be there for her.

The conversation ended with Britney saying that her pal Sam Lutfi had wrongfully taken some of her property and she asked her father for help to get it back. Her father said he would.

Source: People

New Subpoena In Brit Case

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

The man hired by Mark Vincent Kaplan (K-Daddy's lawyer) to field media calls has been subpoenaed in the Britney Spears case.

The subpoena subject -- PR guru Michael Sands. Everyone, including Sands' personal lawyer, Randolph W. Wright, is mum on the nature of the subpoena, however, one source says it is "substantial."

Britney's lawyers, Trope and Trope, drafted the subpoena. Expect a dogfight over whether the info Sands has is protected by the attorney-client privilege.

Source: TMZ

Britney Custody Hearing Postponed

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

All the key players were there this morning for a scheduled hearing in the ongoing custody battle between Britney Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline — everyone except Britney. So with the mother of Sean Preston, 2, and one-year-old Jayden James, now in the hospital for at least two weeks, the court decided this morning to postpone her request for supervised "therapeutic" visitations until Feb. 19. But that's only one half of Britney's legal battle for today.

This afternoon, Brit's father will be in court along with his lawyer Blair Burke, who represented Mel Gibson following his DUI arrest, to argue for an extension of the conservatorship for at least the remainder of Britney's hospitalization. It is being reported that Britney's lawyers in the custody battle, the law firm of Trope & Trope, will be on hand to argue that, given his distant relationship with Britney, Jamie be replaced by a different conservator.

Stay tuned to OK! as this story develops throughout the day.

Source: OK Magazine

Dogfight In Court Tomorrow Over Brit

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

TMZ has learned tomorrow is shaping up to be an all-out war in the Britney Spears conservatorship case. Sources say lawyers for Britney will try to convince the Commissioner that Britney "feels hatred" toward her dad, doesn't trust him and wants him removed as co-conservator.

Here's the way it's gone down this weekend. Yesterday, a lawyer for Trope and Trope (Brit's divorce/custody attorneys) went to UCLA to visit Britney. After being there a short time, one of the staff doctors asked the attorney to leave, because the co-conservators objected to the visit.

Sources say tomorrow, Trope and Trope will appear at the court hearing. Along with attorney Adam Streisand, who specializes in estate law, and ask that both co-conservators be removed. They will argue that the appointment of Jamie in particular is inappropriate given Britney's bitter feelings toward him and that Britney wants him out.

On Friday, the Commish appointed Jamie Spears and attorney Andrew Wallet as co-conservators. Trope lawyers and Streisand will ask that both conservators be replaced.

Sources say the Trope firm will not object to a conservatorship for Britney, but they'll ask that a different conservator be appointed. We're told the Trope lawyers and Streisand have not finalized who they want to replace the current conservators.

Source: TMZ

Spears Family Hired "Bulldog" Lawyer

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

A new contender has entered the Britney Spears circus, and it's über-celebrity lawyer Blair Berk.

E! News has learned exclusively that the Spears clan has hired the legal eagle to serve as the litigator in its case to get conservatorship—a drastic move to wrest control of Britney's financial, legal and medical affairs.

A source close to the case tells E! News that Berk has recently represented Lindsay Lohan in her DUI case—she's the one who took control and actually drove LiLo to Promises—as well as Reese Witherspoon and Halle Berry, among others.

"She is known as a bulldog," says the source.This could be the best thing to happen to Britney all year.

Source: E! Online

Lawyer Showdown In Britney Case

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

Sources tell TMZ Britney's divorce lawyers and the lawyers representing the conservatorship may collide in a "last one standing" dispute.

We know Britney's divorce team at the law firm of Trope and Trope has been dealing with newly-exiled Sam Lutfi and believes he is well-meaning. Jamie Spears, the freshly appointed co-conservator, has made it clear he dislikes the Trope firm and wants them out of Britney's life -- in large part because of the firm's alliance with Sam.

Lutfi is furious at the commissioner who issued the various orders today and has been in touch with Trope and Trope numerous times this afternoon. Based on those conversations, the firm believes the orders defy Britney's wishes because she feels great ill will toward her dad.

So here's the scenario: It's possible Trope and Trope could go to court Monday at 1:30 PM PT and challenge the choice of conservator. If Jamie Spears is in it for the long haul, it's also possible one of his first orders of business will be to 86 Trope and Trope from Britney's life.

Stay tuned.

Source: TMZ

Conservators Have Broad Powers

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

The judge in the hearing did not give the conservators the power to make medical decisions on behalf of Britney, but that really is the upshot.

The conservators - Jamie Spears and Andrew Wallet - can communicate with Brit's doctors and access medical records.

In terms of managing Brit's estate, the function of Wallet -- a respected lawyer who has handled many similar matters -- is to insure there is an independent voice in the management of her estate, and we're told that something Jamie and Lynne are down with.

The effect of the order is that Sam Lutfi has at least temporarily been shut out of Britney's world. He will not be able to go to her home or the hospital or have any other contact with her.

Source: TMZ

Lutfi Won't Face Off With Brit's Parents In Court

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

Sam Lutfi tells TMZ he's not going to show up for the court hearing today.

TMZ broke the story about Britney's parents going to court in an attempt to establish a conservatorship. They believe Lutfi is placing their daughter's health and assets at risk.

Lutfi says he is "appalled and disgusted" that the parents have gone to court, adding that "Britney is in control of her assets and her business manager is in control of her assets." Lutfi says his lawyers are discussing his legal options.

Sources say Britney's medical status right now is "gravely disabled."

Source: TMZ

Britney Officially On Psychiatric Hold

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

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ a L.A. County Superior Court judge has just signed a "5150," meaning Britney Spears is on a three-day psychiatric hold at the UCLA Medical Center.

We're told there is a "good possibility" that it will be extended to 14 days. We've also learned there have been several parallel attempts to get Britney on a 5150. Her lawyers, Anne Kiley and Tara Scott, secured a new psychiatrist late last week -- he's the one who triggered the 5150 last night.

At the same time, we're told Britney's mother, father and brother have been "working closely with the LAPD for weeks" to get her back in for psychiatric care. There is now a dogfight between Britney's family and Sam Lutfi over who will make medical decisions, however, that fight is now put on hold because the judge now makes the call.

Once the psychiatric hold ends, something has to give.

Stay tuned.

Source: TMZ

Britney Being Treated For Her Disease

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

If you think Britney Spears doesn't give a crap about getting help for her condition, think again.

Multiple sources tell TMZ Britney has seen numerous doctors. We know that she's seen a new psychiatrist who has come to her home every day this week and that she's on medication to treat her bipolar disease. We also know doctors have indeed concluded she suffers from bipolarity.

Britney has seen doctors who have been referred by other doctors, plus doctors who have been referred by celebrities Britney knows, and doctors referred by her lawyers, family and friends. We're told the process has been excruciating for her, partly because her disease is severe.

Sources tell slightly different stories about the efficacy of the medication. A friend says when Britney takes her medicine she is like "a different person -- normal and sweet." But she takes her meds for a while and then feels as if she can live without it -- so she stops taking them -- and her condition quickly deteriorates. But a professional tells TMZ flatly, "The medication just isn't working."

That same professional tells TMZ, "She's really trying. Whether it works -- we'll have to see." That person also says it's extremely frustrating when the media shows video of Britney out on the town acting crazy, adding, "She has a disease. Sometimes when you see her she's in the middle of an episode. It's like mocking someone with Down syndrome."

Source: TMZ

Time For A Good Ol' Intervention

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

TMZ has been reporting for weeks that Britney's family and some professionals in her life have been planning a "creative way" to deal with her mental problems. It looks like the time has arrived.

Sources told TMZ "if it happens," it should happen this week. Last night, Brit's mom, Lynne, her dad, Jamie, cousin Alli, as well as Sam Lutfi and Adnan Ghalib all showed up at Britney's house and were all there at the same time.

Brit's mom and dad (and others) have known for months that a bipolar disorder -- and not substance abuse -- is at the root of her problems. They cannot involuntarily commit her (impossible under these circumstances) and Brit has refused to voluntarily enter a hospital or even undergo evaluation for the problem. But now the plan is underway.

Here's what's significant: Britney has not spoken to her mom for a while -- no contact at all. Last night, Britney and Lynne (along with Sam) left the house at one point and went to the drugstore, so it seems they are now interacting.

There were signs last night that Britney didn't feel as warm toward her dad, that she didn't want anything to do with him.

This move has been in the planning stages for well over a month. It should begin to unfold IF Britney cooperates, and that is the wild card.

BTDub, this "creative" intervention is different from what her divorce lawyers pitched to Commissioner Scott Gordon last week. They are not involved in this one.

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

Britney Spears' Lawyer Granted Delay In Driving Lawsuit

The following italicized article is taken from www.etonline.com:

She didn't have a valid driver's license on hand when she caused a fender-bender in L.A. last August, but BRITNEY SPEARS was armed with an attorney on Friday to argue her case.

MICHAEL FLANAGAN, the "Toxic" singer's lawyer, has won a delay in the lawsuit against Britney, according to the Associated Press. The parties now have until Feb. 20 to reach a plea or schedule a trial.

The postponement buys Brit's lawyer time to hash things out with the prosecutor, who according to Flanagan, wants the pop star to plead guilty to a misdemeanor for driving with a Louisiana license in California, the AP reports.

Britney was born in the Bayou state and owns homes there, but because she lives in Los Angeles, she is required to get a California license.

Flanagan claims his client did just that a week after the charges were originally filed, according to the AP.

Source: ET Online