Looks like we have got a live soap opera right before our eyes: Britney Spears has allegedly hired an investigator to unearth some dirty bits on ex-hubby Kevin Federline.

After weeks of being portrayed negatively by Kevin Federline, that is as an unfit mother for the two children resulting from their short-lived marriage, Britney Spears fights back. In Touch Weekly magazine reports that the 25-year-old pop singer has hired a private investigator to do some background checking on the former Mr. Spears.

Britney has apparently turned to Lisa Javoric Private Investigations, a detective firm in Southern California, to scrutinize K-Fed. Though really now – there is plenty of stuff already known about him that does not encourage us to give him the Dad of the Year Award.

Let’s see – smoking around Britney while she was pregnant (photographs exist); starting a relationship with Britney while his girlfriend was pregnant with their second child; partying in Las Vegas; living off Britney’s money etc.

Kevin Federline is set to obtain sole physical custody of his children. His lawyer has already filed the request and then set about serving deposition subpoenas to people in Britney’s entourage and even to a Promises employee, the rehabilitation center where Britney spent several weeks earlier this spring.

Britney’s former personal assistant, former driver/bodyguard, her current personal assistant and her former manager will, among others, have to discuss the singer’s lifestyle and parenting skills in court.

We have not heard of Federline requesting sole physical custody of his other two children though, have we?

Sean Preston turns 2 this month, while Jayden James turns 1. Britney and Federline’s divorce was declared official on July 30, 2007.