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Britney Spears failed to regain control of her finances Monday as a court ruled that father Jamie Spears would continue co-conservatorship; the singer’s stay at the UCLA medical center does not appear to have been calm and soothing so far.
Court commissioner Reva Goetz has appointed a doctor to judge Spears’ “competence to make her own decisions” and report on Feb. 13. Jamie Spears and lawyer Andrew Wallet will remain co-conservators of the singer’s estate through Feb. 14, when a court hearing has been scheduled.
Jamie Spears inaugurated his conservatorship of his daughter’s estate by seeking a restraining order against so-called manager and friend Sam Lutfi. The restraining order was issued Friday but Spears’ attorneys told the court they had not been able to subpoena Lutfi with the order, as he refused to open the door when approached.
The lawyers said Lutfi spoke to Britney on the phone Sunday, People.com reports, which led the court to ban any direct or indirect contact between Britney and Lutfi, including phone calls, e-mails or text messages.
Lutfi and Britney’s parents have not been getting along, according to TMZ.com, who reported last week that both Lynne and Jamie opposed Lutfi’s presence in the hospital. Lutfi maintains that Britney is perfectly capable of taking care of herself and her affairs and that her parents’ interference is not well-intended, according to media reports.
Also Monday, a court-appointed lawyer told the Commissioner that his visit Sunday with the pop singer convinced him that Britney is currently not competent enough to understand the nature of unfolding events or the impact the legal proceedings have on her life. He also said he does not believe her to be capable of hiring a lawyer, which casts a shadow of doubt over Adam Streisand’s claims.
Streisand said Monday that he had been hired over the weekend by Britney but apparently failed to convince the Commissioner. A court spokesman explained after the hearing: “The commissioner felt Mr. Streisand had no standing to represent Ms. Spears.”
Streisand claimed that Britney was strongly against having her father act as co-conservator of her estate and argued that the situation would only lead to “distress, agitation and estrangement,” People.com reports.
As it is, Britney is reported to have been agitated over the past days and furious upon learning that her father is now managing her estate.
Jamie Spears was named temporary co-conservator of his daughter’s estate last Friday, after he and Lynne Spears expressed their belief that Lutfi’s influence was placing their daughter and her assets at risk.
Britney had been hospitalized for the second time in less than one month the day before, transported to UCLA Medical Center by ambulance and escorted by police motorcycles, cars and helicopters. She was initially placed on a 72-hour hold for psychiatric evaluation. Her stay was extended to 14 more days Monday.
The troubled mother of two has been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder. Sole custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, has been awarded to ex-husband Kevin Federline.
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