Pop star Britney Spears and former husband Kevin Federline have reached a settlement in their prolonged child custody battle, with Federline retaining sole custody of the boys and Spears retaining visitation rights.

A lot has happened over the last year or so. Britney Spears’ surprising (and unlikely) marriage to former backup dancer Kevin Federline ended after three years together, with two sons being born to the couple and an embarrassing reality series called “Britney and Kevin: Chaotic” airing in 2005.

The divorce became official last year at the end of July, with the former spouses sharing 50-50 custody of sons Sean Preston and Jayden James, now 2 ½ years-old and 22 months old, respectively.

Chaos ensued though, with Britney Spears going through what appeared to be a tremendously difficult time, which she unfortunately shared with the whole world through unpredictable and controversial public appearances.

Her appearances in court were no better and the two toddlers soon got to spend more time with their dad than with their mom. Worse came to worst in January, when Britney Spears was briefly hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation and lost custody of her sons.

She was placed under the court-ordered conservatorship of her father, Jamie Spears, and in time this appeared to benefit her. An arrangement was ultimately reached with Kevin Federline and his lawyer, which allowed her visitation rights with her boys.

The lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, told reporters Friday that a settlement had been reached in a closed hearing between the former spouses and their respective legal teams, thus ending the feud. Kaplan explained that Kevin Federline would retain sole custody of the children, while Britney Spears would retain visitation rights that may increase over time.

Britney Spears’ attorney, Laura Wasser, told the Associated Press that her client would now have three visits a week with her sons, with at least two overnight visits, an increase from the one overnight visitation per week she was granted late last month.

If all goes well, Wasser told the AP, Britney Spears could spend as much as 40 percent of the time with the kids.

People.com adds further details, this time financial ones. Britney Spears had been paying her former husband $15,000 monthly in child support. According to the settlement, she will now pay him an increased $20,000 a month. Kaplan also demanded and received $250,000 for his work on the case, according to People.

While her personal life appears to be running more smoothly now, Britney Spears is also nurturing her career. She recently filmed a clip for Madonna, which will be shown during the Queen of Pop’s upcoming “Sweet and Sticky” tour.

She is also reportedly working on a new album, which we can all hope will be better and fare better with critics and on charts, than last year’s aptly titled “Blackout.”

As to the recent settlement, lawyers for both parents confirmed that the two were pleased with the arrangement.

Kaplan told People.com that “the case has been settled,” marking “the end of a two-year journey.”

Wasser said Spears was “doing great” and was “very pleased” with the settlement. “The kids are with her right now,” the attorney said Friday outside of court.