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Britney Is Free: Spears’ Conservatorship Officially Ends

It had been in place since 2008
Britney Spears
C Flanigan / Contributor

“Free Britney” is no longer a needed plea. Britney Spears‘ 13-year-long conservatorship set in place by her father, Jamie Spears, has finally ended.

Judge Brenda Penny formally ruled that the conservatorship is over.

“The conservatorship of the person and estate of Britney Jean Spears is no longer required,” Judge Penny said on Friday afternoon according to the New York Times.

Continuing, Judge Penny said that it had been a “voluntary conservatorship” and moving forward, Spears’ current conservator would continue working to settle its ongoing financial concerns. John Zabel, the accountant responsible for the conservatorship’s finances since September, will have the power to transfer her assets to a trust.

“I want to thank all of you,” Spears’ attorney, Mathew Rosengart told fans who assembled outside the court. “I’ve been asked so many times about Britney’s fans and you guys are absolutely the best, are essential. Britney loves you.”

In a statement of her own posted on her Instagram, Spears simply said, “Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy” and “Best day ever.”

Spears has been trying to end the conservatorship since 2014.

At the end of September, Mr. Spears was suspended as her conservator by Judge Penny who then said in court, “The current situation is not tenable.” Her first virtual hearing took place this summer, where Spears gave an impassioned testimony calling for the end of the conservatorship, and pleaded “I just want my life back.” She made her first public statement following the hearing on Instagram, revealing sad, personal truths of what she has endured over the last few years: “I apologize for pretending like I’ve been ok the past two years … I did it because of my pride and I was embarrassed to share what happened to me …”

Jamie Spears, Britney’s father, was in charge of the conservatorship until September when he was removed from that role.

Earlier this year, the Controlling Britney documentary brought new attention to the case that eventually led to the point.