Britney Spears' Father Jamie Files Petition To End Conservatorship

Britney Spears' father, Jamie Spears, who said last month that he would step down as the singer's guardian "when the time is right," unexpectedly filed a petition Tuesday to terminate the controversial conservatorship that has controlled the superstar's life for 13 years.

In his filing, Jamie said Britney may no longer need the arrangement since she "has told this court that she wants control of her life back without the safety rails of a conservatorship," reported People.

The filing further cited the singer's statements during multiple court hearings held in summer, stating, "She wants to be able to make decisions regarding her own medical care, deciding when, where, and how often to get therapy. She wants to control the money she has made from her career and spend it without supervision or oversight."

"She wants to be able to get married and have a baby if she so chooses. In short, she wants to live her life as she chooses without the constraints of a conservator or court proceeding," it continued.

As per the filing, Britney is "entitled to have this Court now seriously consider whether this conservatorship is no longer required," adding that "recent events related to this conservatorship have called into question whether circumstances have changed to such an extent that grounds for the establishment of a conservatorship may no longer exist."

However, Jamie once again justified the initial establishment of such an arrangement, noting, "The petition, did, however, defend the initial establishment of a conservatorship."

"The conservatorship has helped Ms. Spears get through a major life crisis, rehabilitate and advance her career, and put her finances and her affairs in order," the filing explained.

The petition also maintained that Jamie only had good intentions for his daughter. "As Mr. Spears has said, again and again, all he wants is what is best for his daughter. If Ms. Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr. Spears believes that she should get that chance," it said.

A conservatorship is a complex legal arrangement in which a judge appoints an individual to take legal responsibility for another person who is deemed incapable of managing their personal and financial affairs, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Though conservatorship is usually reserved for the elderly or infirm, Britney was placed under one in 2008, after she suffered a series of mental breakdowns.