Commish to Brit: Pay Lawyers, Sell House

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

It costs a lot to take care of Britney Spears.

According to court documents released today, the "Gimme More" singer has been ordered to advance $200,000 to her conservatorship legal team to cover a portion of fees. L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz made the ruling during a Sept. 25 hearing. (Another hearing regarding the balance of Spears' legal tab is set for Oct. 28.)

In addition, Goetz also granted Spears’ father and coconservator Jamie the authority to sell her Beverly Hills-area home with the assistance of real estate agent Tomer Fridman of Ewing & Associates in Calabasas. According to the court terms, the purchase price must be equal to or exceed the value or property as appraised by the court. And if Fridman sells the house, his commission cannot exceed 5 percent of the selling price.

Earlier this month, the Spears home went on the market for an asking price of $7.9 million.

Source: E! Online

Britney's Legal Team Fans Out

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

If it were her prerogative, you'd think Britney Spears would have downed her lingering legal woes faster than a Frappuccino.

But the wheels of justice move slowly and the pop princess has other things to concern her.

While Spears plots her latest comeback—her new album Circus is coming to town Dec. 2, her 22nd birthday—her army of lawyers deployed to various courthouses in Southern California today to attempt to tidy up her docket.

First up, attorneys representing Spears and her temporary conservatorship overseen in part by father Jamie turned up in downtown Los Angeles to meet behind closed doors to haggle over legal bills stemming from the case.

"Lawyers for [Britney] were in chambers for about an hour and a half. Two items were filed but sealed," a court clerk tells E! News.

No word on exactly what financial matters were being debated. The bills have piled up in recent months, however, with her lawyer, Laura Wasser, alone seeking as much as $100,000 for representing Spears during the last three months ($33, 037.19 for June and July and $60,075 for work performed in August).

Spears did not attend the session. The next court date in the matter is set for Sept. 25.

Nearly 20 miles away in Van Nuys, meanwhile, a pretrial hearing was scheduled with regard to her misdemeanor charge of driving with an invalid license.

Earlier this month, Superior Court Judge James A. Steele refused Spears' petition to dismiss the year-old charge, leaving the door open to a trial which could start as early as October.

Source: E! Online

Britney Back In Court

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

Britney's attorneys have arrived at court this morning for hearings regarding both her astronomical legal fees as well as her driving without a license case.

X17 is at the courthouse - we'll keep you updated!

We thought most of her legal trouble was behind her, but I guess she's still got a few hurdles to overcome!

Source: X17

Britney Spears's Price for Privacy

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

Britney Spears is seeking privacy at any cost – no matter how small.

In legal papers filed Friday, her lawyers sought a one-time reimbursement of $25 for use of a private room at L.A.'s Stanley Mosk Courthouse, where the pop star's conservatorship case and her former custody battle have played out.

The room was "needed for privacy from reporters eavesdropping," Spears's lawyers wrote.

In addition, nearly $5,000 was spent in a six-month period for overnight mailing and courier services alone.

"Because of (Spears's) celebrity status, overnight and messenger serves were used in lieu of regular mail to maintain control and confidentiality of the documents," her lawyers added.

While the majority of courthouse activity is considered public record, much of Spears's case has been sealed by the court's discretion.

Source: People

Crazy Is Really, Really Expensive

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

New bills in the Britney Spears conservatorship case -- No, she's not really crazy, but she's forced to spend like a crazy woman.

According to court documents, Britney's court-appointed attorney, Samuel Ingram, billed her for 663.4 hours over a seven-month period. Grand total -- $248,625. Who says you can't put a price on a mother's love?

In a separate filing, the attorney for Britney's dad, Geraldine Wyle, wants herself some reimbursements -- including $655.50 for photocopying and $25 for a private room at the courthouse. Every little bit helps.

Source: TMZ

Britney Owes Big Money in Custody Battle

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

Who said getting back on track was cheap?

Stacy Phillips, one of the shorter-term members of Britney Spears' legal team, has let it be known that shoring up one's defenses can be downright bank-breaking.

According to a declaration filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the "Sometimes I Run" songstress owes $338,414.87 to Phillips for $700-an-hour services rendered between March and June—and there are rumors of a lawsuit in the works because Spears' camp is objecting to the hefty sum.

But that's a discount, says the attorney, who states that the tab includes "time already deducted as a courtesy," time "written off" and $75,000 that she expects to get next month. (A court commissioner earmarked that sum for Phillips in April while poring over Spears' bills.)

Phillips was dismissed before Spears' custody settlement was reached last month with the help of her recently reinstated family lawyer Laura Wasser, who broke ranks last fall but returned in time to help Spears obtain more visitation privileges with sons Sean Preston and Jayden James (although Kevin Federline still has sole physical and legal custody).

Wasser's most recent bill, encompassing two months of counsel, totals $60,075, per court documents filed on behalf of the law firms of Wasser, Cooperman & Carter and Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamra.

But, because her firm has already applied Spears' $25,000 retainer fee toward her bill, she's requesting no more than half of

Why so high, you might ask?

Phillips says that Spears' conservatorship arrangement, which has gotten much of the credit for her 180-degree turn for the better over the last five months, made her case more complex.

Indeed. Attorneys for dad Jamie Spears indicated in court last week that they intend to contest his litle girls legal bills.

Meanwhile, the firm of Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps is requesting $110,000 of the $220,600 it says its owed for 402 hours of representing the conservatorship.

Source: E! Online

Britney Spears’ Total Fitness

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

Britney Spears heads home after working out with her mom Lynne at Bally Total Fitness in Los Angeles on Friday.

A workout won’t be helping Britney’s financial troubles as the Spears‘ family was ordered by a Los Angeles judge to pay over $350,000 to settle her legal bill.

This ruling is on top of the decision one month ago where Britney was ordered to pay ex-husband Kevin Federline $375K to cover legal costs.

See more pics here!

Source: Just Jared

Britney Spears Ordered to Pay Lawyers' Fees

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

The attorneys involved with Britney Spears' conservatorship will be paid for their time, Commissioner Reva Goetz ruled today.

There are two conservators of Spears' financial, medical and legal decisions: Andrew Wallet and her father, Jamie. Wallet, who has not been paid yet, will be given $100,000. Jamie is being paid $2,500 per week.

Britney's attorney, Samuel Ingham, will receive up to $10,000 per week through the end of July.

Jamie's attorney, Geraldine Wyle, will get $175,000; trust attorney Clark Byam will be paid $22,500; and custody attorney Stacey Phillips will receive $75,000.

All of the fees, except for Ingham's, account for costs accrued through March 31.

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

Lawyer: K-Fed Getting a 'Bad Rap' on Expenses

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

Whether it was a $1,100 tip at an L.A. restaurant or a $2,000 tip at a Vegas strip club, Kevin Federline's 2007 spending – detailed in recently released financial documents – has critics buzzing over his lavish lifestyle. But his lawyer says they need to look at the bigger picture before passing judgment.

"He's totally getting a bad rap here," according to Federline attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan, who says the "court of public opinion" is focusing on a few outstanding expenditures. "It seems like an unnecessary attempt to knock him when there's really no basis to do that."

Kaplan claims that even the $2,000 Scores strip club tip has a logical explanation. "That was for a group of people for a friend's bachelor party," says Kaplan, who adds that it wasn't a tip: "That's just how the club categorized it."

Many of Federline's tips are less extravagant. During a September trip to Fat Tony's Italian Restaurant in North Carolina, he tipped $10.00 on a $41.69 bill.

Federline's Double Life

The papers show two sides to K-Fed. Last August, he spent $304.30 to fly to Las Vegas on low-cost Southwest Airlines. ("He doesn't fly private and more often he drives," says Kaplan.) But once he was there, he didn't cut corners. Over the next three days, he spent $3,038.69 at the Hard Rock Beach Club, $3,863.50 at Tao, and $10,220.65 at The Venetian.

Still, some of his spending is less rock star and more suburban dad. Routine charges at Target ($115.10), IKEA ($246.66) and Albertson's grocery store ($405.75) fill his credit card statements, interspersed with occasional shopping sprees at toy stores. (In May, he dropped $2,167.52 in one day at Toys R Us and Babies R Us.)

Kaplan also disagrees with Britney Spears's legal team's argument that the larger expenses suggest Federline should foot some of the custody-battle legal bills that he's asked her to pay.

"Don't focus on whether he spent too much money going on a vacation or going to a restaurant," says Kaplan. "Focus – as the court does – on was he reasonable having to incur these [court] fees? The answer is a resounding yes." Kaplan says that the legal fees were "built up quite frankly by the conduct of [Spears]" during some of her court-delaying, widely-publicized antics.

"I don't think the court should be distracted by the fact that he went to Las Vegas and spent $1,000 or $5,000,” says Kaplan. "It's not relevant."

Source: People

Brit -- No More Wiggin' Out

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

Brit busted a load of cash on lawyer fees and wigs over the past year and reports say she wants to hit the road and start working again. Operation Infinite Chances reportedly involves a $100 million payday for the recovering poptart for a world tour, according to Showbizspy.

Brit Brit wants to leave on a jet plane and hightail it out of La La Land and away from her troubled past. Sources say Britney is ready to work her way back to the top and is even finally trying to get her post-baby mama body back in shape.

Source: TMZ

K-Fed Shows His Big Tip

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

K-Fed lied about his income and charged up ridiculous expenses, including insane tips, according to new court documents.

Britney Spears' newest lawyer, Stacy Phillips, filed documents challenging the legal fees that Brit was ordered to pay for Fed-ex. Phillips claims K-Daddy "understated his income by at least $200,000." She also says Federline buried all sorts of personal expenses and pretended to have $800,000 worth of business expenses. PopoZão!

According to the legal papers, Federline grossed $544,074.73 from his production company, "Gooseneck Productions" in 2007, and his expenses totaled $841,128.67. Phillips says Federline's so-called business expenses included "extraordinarily high tips for food and beverage services [e.g., $1,100.76 tip on $2,782 bill; $200 tip on $371.29 bill; and $2,000 tip on $365 bill].

What's not to love??

Source: TMZ

Britney On a Budget

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

After years of spending her millions on vacations and dead-of-night shopping sprees, Britney Spears has been put on a tight budget by a team of advisers.

"Britney was never worth nearly as much as many thought she was," a source close to the pop diva tells OK! exclusively. "Those figures of $100 million or more were so off the mark."

In fact, the best estimate for her net worth is $40 million. Brit's team wants to preserve her fortune so she is comfortable and can support her kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James, even without any additional income.

The source says, "There's going to be some serious belt-tightening." The estimated $100,000 a month she'd spend on entertainment and vacations may be cut to 10% of that, and her $16,000-a-month clothing allowance will get halved. OK! has learned that as of April 1, she will let go of her $30,000-a-month Malibu pad that she hasn't visited in months.

Brit's dad, Jamie Spears, cut off her credit cards when he became her conservator. He and attorney Andrew Wallet are in charge of her estate. Her brother, Bryan, and another attorney manage the fund that administers her daily spending.

Now, the main financial drain is legal fees, round-the-clock security and medical costs. "It's taken a huge team to bring some normalcy out of the chaos that existed," the source says. "This team will have to be in place for years." The medical team alone usually has seven doctors and therapists. The legal team handles her finances, custody of her kids and the restraining order against Sam Lutfi. "Her legal bills alone could top $1 million this year," another insider familiar with the situation tells OK!.

Source: OK Magazine

Could be...but she's still making $750,000 a month so she ain't broke in a long time!

Britney Spears’ dad does underwear check before she goes out

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

Britney Spears’ days of going out without any knickers on are a thing of the past — thanks to dad Jamie — who checks the troubled singer is wearing underwear before she leaves the house.

Jamie Spears, who is in charge of his daughter’s affairs, is fed up with the Toxic star’s revealing clothing — and wants to ensure her pantyless flashing days are behind her.

A source said: “Jamie makes sure to ask Britney if she has underwear on before she goes out.”

The singer’s assistant, Brett, also reportedly reminds the pop wreck to wear underwear and a bra.

The source added to the National Enquirer: “Britney tries to ignore their requests, but her dad is adamant and insists she change if she’s falling out of her top.”

Meanwhile, Britney, 26, has been ordered to pay $375,000 of Kevin Federline’s legal bills in their ongoing child custody case.

Spears’ lawyer, Stacy Phillips, complained last week that Spears had been overcharged by Federline’s attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, and asked that her ex contribute to his own legal bills

Phillips brought up how Federline recently tipped a waitress $2,000 on a $365 dining tab - and how Kaplan had recently raised his hourly rate.

But Los Angeles Court Commissioner Scott Gordon called it “reasonable” to make Britney pay so much because “the actions of [Spears] caused the great majority of litigation.”

The court also favoured Federline for having “taken the responsibility for the care and custody of the children during this period as a result of the conduct of the petitioner [Britney]”.

Federline had previously declared in court papers made public last year that he had no steady income, while Spears takes in more than $700,000 a month.

Source: Showbiz Spy

Britney Ordered to Pay K-Fed's Lawyer's Fees––Again!

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

The Britney Spears/Kevin Federline custody drama continued today as Brit was ordered to pay $375,000 of Federline’s attorney fees.

Spears’ attorney Stacy Phillips argued that Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan was asking for too much, and that based on his extravagant spending style, Federline could pay his own way. But Commissioner Scott Gordon said the pop tart should foot the bill because her erratic behavior led to the majority of delays and litigation in the case.

The ruling comes after Federline and Spears’ father and conservator Jamie appeared in court last week to tussle over the lawyer fees. Kaplan initially asked for $405,000. Britney has paid nearly $1 million of K-Fed's legal fees so far.

Source: OK Magazine

Britney Spears Ordered to Pay $375,000 in K-Fed's Legal Bills

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

Britney Spears has been ordered to pay $375,000 of Kevin Federline's legal bills, according to court documents released Monday.

Los Angeles Court Commissioner Scott Gordon called the legal billing "reasonable," in large part because "the actions of [Spears] caused the great majority of litigation."

Last week, the pop star's lawyer, Stacy Phillips, complained that Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, had over-charged Spears, and asked that Federline be ordered to contribute to his own legal bills in the former couple's ongoing custody case.

Citing Federline's tip of $2,000 on a recent $365 dining tab, Phillips contended that Federline could afford to help pay "for the diligent work being done on his behalf." She also criticized Kaplan for raising his hourly fee.

Family courts have the power to order one party to pay for the other's fees, based on income and needs.

Federline had previously declared in court papers made public last year that he had no steady income, while Spears takes in more than $700,000 a month.

Source: People

Brit's Lawyers -- Oh the Irony!

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

So we just read the order forcing Britney to pay $375,000 for K-Daddy's legal bill. Here's what jumped out at us.

In the order issued by Commish Scott Gordon, he notes that disso queen Laura Wasser charged Brit $164,972 in legal fees. Remember, Wasser handled the case for 10 months. She's the one who handled the divorce and fought for joint custody and dealt with Brit during the meltdown.

After Wasser quit, Brit hired Trope and Trope to rep her. On Trope's watch, Brit lost custody and visitation. Their bill for five months? $685,985.22 (the 22 cents is a killer). In fairness, Brit's craziness made it impossible for the Commish to do anything but strip her of custody. But seriously, $685,985.22???!!!

So what did Shakespeare say again?

Source: TMZ

Kaplan Scores -- Brit Must Pay Up

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

Britney has just been ordered to pay Mark Vincent Kaplan, K-Daddy's lawyer, $375,000 in lawyer's fees.

Kaplan was asking for a cool half mil over a four month period in the custody fight. Commish Scott Gordon had initially ordered Brit to pay Federleze's "reasonable" attorney's fees.
Brit's lawyer said the fees were outrageous and the judge knocked it down some, but Kaplan now is deep in the green.

Source: TMZ

Oh well, at least there's $125,000 off...

Judge Rules: Britney Gets $1,500 Allowance

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

Britney Spears is getting an allowance.

The pop star, who is worth an estimated $100 million, has been approved for a $1,500-a-week allowance on a debit card, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz ruled Monday.

In contrast, a probate commissioner hired two specialist attorneys to help the singer and her lawyers sort out her affairs while Spears is under a temporary co-conservatorship.

One, Jorge Hernandez, will get a $25,000 retainer to be an around-the-clock consultant on all questions pertaining to the co-conservatorship. The other, lawyer Tom Hansen, will receive $15,000 a month for his services as an entertainment lawyer consulting on Spears's entertainment deals and contracts.

The ruling comes the same day as a separate hearing in which lawyers for Spears said that her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, should take responsibility for some of his legal bills in the former couple's ongoing custody battle.

The question of who will pay the legal fees "is under submission," according to court spokesman Allan Parachini. "When the judge will rule, I don't know."

Source: People

Britney's Lawyer Questions K-Fed's Spending

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

Kevin Federline can afford to "take responsibility" for some of his own legal fees, an attorney for Britney Spears said in court Monday.

The pop star's lawyer, Stacy Phillips, asked Federline to contribute to his own legal bills in the former couple's ongoing custody case. Citing Federline's tip of $2,000 on a recent $365 dining tab, Phillips contended that Federline can afford to help pay "for the diligent work being done on his behalf."

Currently Spears is responsible for paying her ex-husband's legal fees, including $500,000 owed to Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan.

Phillips further argued that it was inappropriate for Kaplan and his partner to have increased their hourly rate to $600 an hour. Kaplan countered that Phillips charges $700 an hour.

"Mr. Federline is doing things that will substantially increase the revenue he can have," Kaplan said in court. "Everything done by our side was done by Mr. Federline to protect his children from a very dangerous and very fluid situation."

The question of who will pay the legal fees "is under submission," according to court spokesman Allan Parachini. "When the judge will rule I don't know."

Federline and his former father-in-law, Jamie Spears, who is serving as Britney's temporary co-conservator, both answered questions during the hearing. Despite the dispute between the two sides, the pair – who played golf together over the weekend – appeared to be on friendly terms, chatting in court while waiting for the judge to arrive.

Source: People