Britney Spears hasn’t legally been in control of her life and fortune for the past twelve years.

After the singer had several public mental breakdowns in 2008, the court put her estate, financial assets, and some personal assets under the control of her father and a lawyer. It’s what’s called a conservatorship — a form of legal guardianship, typically enacted for those incapable of making their own decisions. Earlier this year, it was extended until August 22nd when the court will once again review Britney’s case.

Since its implementation, the conservatorship has generated a lot of speculation among Spears’ fans. Many of them think she’s being controlled and manipulated, which has fueled the #FreeBritney movement. One of its members recently made a Facebook post that has since gone viral, taking debates about Britney’s well-being even further.

Recently, people have been concerned with Britney’s Instagram posts which mostly include similar-looking portraits

Image credits: britneyspears

Image credits: britneyspears

They’ve expressed their concern under each of her Instagram pics

Being part of the “Free Britney” movement, this person took it on themself to try and make sense of what has been happening

Image credits: britneyspears

Image credits: britneyspears

Image credits: X17onlineVideo

Image credits: northfoto

ADVERTISEMENT

Don’t want to see ads?

Image credits: britneyspears

Image credits: britneyspears

Image credits: sumanghatrora

The late 2000s were a difficult time for Britney. She was spotted driving her SUV with her son Sean on her lap and not strapped in a car seat. She shaved her head and was seen hitting a photographer’s car with an umbrella. She also went through a divorce and, after refusing to relinquish custody of her children, locked herself in a room with her child only to be taken out on a stretcher and hospitalized for appearing to be under the influence of an unknown substance. In 2008, Britney made several trips to rehab and was committed to a psychiatric hospital at least two times.

ADVERTISEMENT

Don’t want to see ads?

Eventually, her father, Jamie Spears was granted oversight of her estate and health, which includes everything from negotiating business opportunities to restricting visitors, while attorney Andrew Wallet was assigned to help manage the singer’s assets.

Britney Spears’ financial documents revealed that as of 2018, she had a net worth of $59 million. That year, she spent $400,000 on living expenses and $66,000 on household supplies. She also spent $1.1 million on her legal and conservator fees that year, and her father reportedly took $128,000 of that.

Britney’s fans thought a sign that not everything was going well was when attorney Andrew Wallet stepped down as the co-conservator. “Conservatorship is engaged in numerous ongoing business activities requiring immediate attention,” he wrote in court filings, adding that it would be in Britney’s best interest if his resignation were accepted swiftly. He didn’t provide a specific reason for his resignation.

According to Wallet, the singer would have suffered “substantial detriment, irreparable harm, and immediate danger” if he didn’t step down.

Law experts, however, point out that while conservatorships can be corrupted, there is probably good reason it still stands. “The fact that she’s been under conservatorship for a dozen years should tell you something about the state of her mental impairment and her vulnerability,” lawyer Adam Streisand, who specializes in high-profile wealth disputes told Los Angeles Times. “The courts will do everything they can to ensure that a person is not conserved unless they really, really need to be.”

Here’s what people had to say about the matter

Games

View all games

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!