Britney Spears' Conservator Jodi Montgomery Is 'Concentrated On Giving Her The Tools To Get Better,' Hopes Singer Can 'Eventually Get Out': Source
Less than a week after Britney Spears appeared in court and said she wants to terminate her 13-year-long conservatorship, a source close to the situation claimed that her conservatorship team isn’t taking the request lightly.
Jodi Montgomery, the pop star’s longtime care manager, temporarily took over as Spears’ personal conservator in September 2019 after her father Jamie Spears stepped down as co-conservator of her person (he still controls her finances along with the financial firm, Bessemer Trust). According to a source, Montgomery has been “working with a team of experts concentrated on giving Britney the tools to get better.”
The “Circus” singer, 39, has been under a conservatorship since 2008 after an apparent mental health crisis. Although Spears has never revealed a mental health diagnosis and her medical records are sealed, “the hope is that she can eventually get out of the conservatorship,” the source added.
Spears appeared in court on Wednesday, June 23, where she gave a tearful 23-minute long speech detailing the “abusive” behavior she has endured from her conservators, including Montgomery and her own father, who still oversees her finances as co-conservator of her estate.
The source insisted, however, that “under California law, all conservators have to be investigated secretly by the court. Progress has to be reported.” Conservators are all closely monitored to assure nothing shady is happening.”
In March, the “Toxic” singer requested that Montgomery be appointed her permanent conservator; however, in the hearing, Spears claimed that Montgomery “made me feel like my dad does. Very similar, her behavior and my dad, but just a different dynamic.”
Last week’s hearing marks the first time Spears has publicly spoken about her conservatorship.
- Britney Spears Was 'Nervous About Speaking In Front Of The Judge,' But Wants 'Big Changes': Source
- Britney Spears' Personal Conservator Jodi Montgomery Hits Back At Jamie Spears' Claims, Reveals Singer Is Allowed To Marry, Have Children
- Britney Spears' Father Jamie Spears Denies Being Responsible For Personal Conservatorship Restrictions
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“I’ve never said it openly — I never thought anyone would believe me,” she said. “I’m not lying. I just want my life back. It’s been 13 years, and it’s been enough. I want to be able to be heard. I’ve kept this in for so long — it’s not good for my heart.”
“I’ve been so angry and I cry every day.” she continued. “For my sanity...I need to get it off my heart. The anger, all of it. The main reason why I’m here today is I want to end the conservatorship without being evaluated.”
After Spears’ address to the court, Jamie released a brief statement via his lawyer: “[Jamie] is sorry to see his daughter in so much pain. [He] loves his daughter and misses her very much.”
According to the source close to the situation, Jamie is still heavily involved in Spears’ life, despite no longer having legal control over her personal affairs.
“Even though Jamie is in charge of her finances, he still has to approve everything because everything is related to finances at the end of the day,” the source told PEOPLE. “If she wants to go to Hawaii, he has to approve that, because it costs money. If she wants to take her friends to dinner, he has to approve that, because it costs money. Jamie has the right to say no to certain things.”
Spears still needs to file a formal motion to end the conservatorship, per the judge on Wednesday.
