Calling it her “best day ever”, pop star Britney Spears has regained freedom over her life and finances after a Los Angeles judge ended the conservatorship that had restricted her for more than 13 years.
“Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and the estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated,” Judge Brenda Penny said after a hearing.
The 39-year-old singer had begged the court to end the legal arrangement that has governed her personal life and $US60 million ($A82 million) estate since 2008.
Spears did not attend Friday’s hearing but said in an Instagram post, “I love my fans so much it’s crazy!!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever”.
Outside the courthouse, dozens of fans waving pink signs of support erupted into cheers at the decision. Some danced and sang her hit Stronger.
“It was a monumental day for Britney Spears,” the pop star’s lawyer Mathew Rosengart said outside the courthouse.
He thanked fans in the #FreeBritney movement who he said had been integral to ending the legal arrangement.
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by the singer’s father, Jamie, after she had a public breakdown and underwent treatment for undisclosed mental health issues.
Interest in the case was propelled over the past year by documentaries and fans who questioned why the singer lived under restrictions while successfully touring the world and earning millions of dollars.
Rosengart said a “safety net” had been put in place to help Spears transition back to regular life.
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in June, Spears has received a groundswell of public support and hired Rosengart, who moved aggressively to end the restrictions.
In June, she told the court she had been traumatised and that she wanted her “life back” as soon as possible.
The arrangement began to crumble in September when in a sudden reversal Jamie Spears said he supported ending it because it had helped her and was no longer needed.
A key question on Friday had been whether Judge Penny might require Spears to undergo a mental health evaluation, a step often taken before ending a conservatorship. She did not do so.
Penny suspended Jamie Spears from the conservatorship in late September, calling his involvement “toxic” to the singer’s well-being.
Rosengart is pushing for Jamie Spears to be investigated for possible financial mismanagement of his daughter’s affairs, but he said on Friday it would be up to Britney Spears to decide how to proceed on that matter.
Jamie Spears has said through laywers that he helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and always acted in her best interest.
AAP
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