Britney's Dad "Taking His Responsibility Seriously"

On Friday, Jamie Spears, estranged father of troubled pop star Britney Spears, appeared before a California court to ask for a conservatorship that would allow him to take responsibility for his daughter's medical and financial decisions. And a source close to Jamie tells OK! that this decision, "is a long time coming."

"This is the best thing that could ever have happened," explains the source to OK!.  "It's been a long time coming and there is a lot at stake."

As for those who worry that Jamie is only interested in getting his hands on his daughter's fortune, the friend tells OK! that's definitely not the case. "He takes this responsibility very seriously. Jamie's been wanting to save his little girl's life for a long time."

Remember, when Britney was hospitalized for the first time in early January, Jamie — despite not having seen his daughter in several months — was the only one of Brit's parents to visit her in the hospital.