Britney Spears’ father was last night put in control of the troubled singer’s $125 million estate, after a court ruled that her recent committment to a psychiatric institution left her unable to take care of herself.
James Spears, a 56-year-old building contractor from Kentwood, Louisianna, was made a temporary ‘conservator’ of Ms Spears’ financial assets along with a lawyer, Andrew Wallete.
He will be solely responsible for Ms Spears as an individual.
Ms Spears’ mother, Lynne, a former teacher - she has had a strained relationship with her daughter over recent years - was also in court when the decision was made.
The creation of a ‘conservatorship’ is standard practice in the case of an adult with a severe mental health condition, such as the bi-polar disorder reportedly suffered by Ms Spears, whose personal meltdown has become a tabloid industry in its own right.
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The court also issued a restraining order against Ms Spears’ occassional manager and friend, Sam Lutfi, and gave permission to change the locks on her estate and remove anyone who is there.
The commissioner responsible for the decision said that Spears would be under conservatorship until February 4, when another hearing would be held, adding that it was “in the best interests” of her well being.
The conservator will have the power to restrict visitors, provide around-the-clock security for Spears, and have access to all medical records. Conservatorship over Mr Spears’ estate was deemed “necessary and appropriate” including actions “to secure all liquid assets including credit cards.”
Meanwhile, paparazzi interest in Ms Spears has caused one Los Angles councilman to propose a ‘personal safety zone’ around celebrities targeted by the media.
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened to Princess Diana in Los Angeles,” said the councilman, Dennis Zine, who added that it took 12 police officers to escort Ms Spears to hospital on Thursday.