Jamie Spears agreed to resign his 13-year daughter’s guardianship Britney Spears‘Manor, the pop star’s lawyer called a major victory on Thursday.
“We are very pleased that Mr. Spears and his lawyer admitted in a document today that he must be removed,” the singer’s lawyer Matthew Rosengart said in a statement.
Spears, who has been in control of his daughter’s affairs since a mental health breakdown in 2008, agreed to resign in court documents filed on Thursday.
For months, the “toxic” pop star has been seeking to let her father have no say in her affairs. A court hearing to discuss her request is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles in late September.
Rosengart called Jamie Spears’ decision “a major victory for Britney Spears and another step towards justice.”
Thursday’s court documents did not state when Jamie Spears would resign from his daughter’s $60 million estate, and stated that he saw no reason to remove him or suspend him immediately.
But it added: “Although Mr. Spears has been the target of unreasonable attacks, he does not believe that it is in her best interest to start a public struggle with his daughter over his continued service as a protector.”
The court document added: “Mr. Spears intends to work with the court and his daughter’s new lawyer to prepare for an orderly transition to the new protector.”
The 39-year-old Britney Spears is still cared for by professional Jodi Montgomery, who manages her medical and personal affairs. The nature of the singer’s mental health problems has never been publicly disclosed.
Spears emotionally opposed the court-appointed supervision in June and July, calling it humiliation and abuse, and accusing her father of ruining her life. Spears has not performed since 2018 and said that she will not return to the stage while her father still controls her career.
The singer, who frequently posts on social media, did not immediately mention her father’s decision to step down on Thursday.
Court documents on Thursday stated that Jamie Spears had always taken his daughter’s best interests to heart and did not force her to do anything.
“According to her own admission, Ms. Spears is strong and insists on what she wants. Mr. Spears has tried his best to satisfy Ms. Spears’ wishes, whether it is about her personal life, family or career, while fulfilling his role as a protector. And the obligation to (and) protect her from other people’s use,” the document said.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Chris Reese and Dan Grebler)
