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Britney Spears' conservatorship terminated

By Chloe Melas, Fernando Alfonso III, Meg Wagner and Melissa Macaya, CNN

Updated 10:36 a.m. ET, November 16, 2021

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7:55 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Here's how Britney Spears' conservatorship came to an end

Singer Britney Spears has been freed from her conservatorship following a ruling Friday from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny.

The court decision follows months of legal maneuvers and calls from Spears' legion of fans to #FreeBritney.

Here's what happened today in Los Angeles:

More than a decade in the making: After 13 years, Spears' conservatorship is over. Penny ended the court-ordered arrangement during a hearing on Friday. Her ruling follows a tumultuous, lengthy, and highly publicized legal battle between the singer and her father, Jamie Spears, who was suspended as her conservator in September. He had held the role since 2008, overseeing his daughter’s estate and controlling much of her personal and professional life.
Spears thanks her fans: Spears shared a video of her fans celebrating in the streets. "Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy !!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen ????" Spears wrote on Instagram.
A "monumental" day: Spears' attorney held a news conference following the termination of her conservatorship today after a ruling from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny. "As of today, effective immediately, the conservatorship has been terminated as to both the person and the estate," attorney Mathew Rosengart said outside the courthouse. "This is a monumental day for Britney Spears." In terms of Spears' future, Rosengart said: "What's next for Britney, and this is the first time this could be said for about a decade, is up to one person, Britney."
Spears' fiance celebrates: Spears' fiancé Sam Asghari just posted a solid pink square on Instagram with the word "FREEDOM." "History was made today. Britney is Free!" Asghari wrote in the caption.
"Safety net" set up: Addressing the court, Rosengart said a "safety net" will be in place for Britney Spears' finances and personal care after a Los Angeles judge terminated her conservatorship Friday. Assets will now be transferred from Spears' temporary conservator to the singer's trust, the judge said. A medical evaluation will not be required for Spears, according to the judge.
Crediting the #FreeBritney movement: Rosengart praised the #FreeBritney movement in helping to lead to the suspension of the singer's father as her conservator. "It's been a lot of hard work, it's been intense. I'm proud, Britney's proud," Rosengart said during a news conference after a hearing in late September. "I think the support of the #FreeBritney movement has been instrumental. To the extent that it allowed my firm to carry the ball across the finish line, I thank them as well."

6:04 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Spears thanks her fans and says she is "gonna cry the rest of the day"

Britney Spears shared a video of her fans celebrating in the streets following a court ruling in Los Angeles Friday to end her 13-year conservatorship.

"Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy !!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen ????" Spears wrote on Instagram.

Watch the video:

6:06 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

A "safety net" will be put in place for Spears' finances and personal care, attorney says

From CNN's Chloe Melas and Alexandra Meeks

Attorney Mathew Rosengart speaks to the media outside the Stanley Mosk courthouse in Los Angeles, on Friday, November 12. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images)

Addressing the court, Britney Spears' attorney Mathew Rosengart said a "safety net" will be in place for Britney Spears' finances and personal care after a Los Angeles judge terminated her conservatorship Friday.

"The time has come today to end the conservatorship," Rosengart said, thanking the judge.

Assets will now be transferred from Spears' temporary conservator to the singer's trust, the judge said. A medical evaluation will not be required for Spears, according to the judge.

Spears was not in attendance at the hearing, in person or virtually. No one objected to the ruling.

The next court dates are scheduled for Dec. 8 and Jan. 19. In January, the parties will discuss a petition for substituted judgment, according to the judge.

The ruling marks the end of her father Jamie Spears' management over the singer's estate, which included him making health and medical decisions for Spears until 2019.

5:34 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Spears' attorney: "This is a monumental day for Britney Spears"

Britney Spears' attorney held a news conference following the termination of her conservatorship today after a ruling from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny.

"As of today, effective immediately, the conservatorship has been terminated as to both the person and the estate," attorney Mathew Rosengart said outside the courthouse. "This is a monumental day for Britney Spears."

Rosengart added: "What's next for Britney, and this is the first time this could be said for about a decade, is up to one person, Britney."

5:47 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

What the scene is like outside the court as Britney Spears' conservatorship ended

As a judge ruled to terminate Britney Spears' 13-year conservatorship, fans could be seen celebrating outside a Los Angeles County courthouse.

Supporters of the FreeBritney movement rally in support of musician Britney Spears in Los Angeles, on Friday, November 12. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images)

Britney Spears supporters Aaron Morris, second from right, and Elizabeth Crocker embrace outside the courthouse. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Britney Spears supporters decorate a pink "Free Britney" Christmas tree. (Chris Pizzello/A))

Supporters of singer Britney Spears gather outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Twins Edward, right, and John Grimes of Dublin, Ireland, pose with a "Free Britney" flag. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

5:25 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Moments after her conservatorship was terminated, Britney Spears' fiancé posted "FREEDOM"

Britney Spears' fiancé Sam Asghari just posted a solid pink square on Instagram with the word "FREEDOM."

"History was made today. Britney is Free!" Asghari wrote in the caption.

Moments ago, a judge terminated Spears' 13-year conservatorship altogether. In September, Judge Brenda Penny suspended the singer's father, Jamie Spears, as conservator of her estimated $60 million estate and designated a temporary replacement.

Earlier today, Asghari shared a video of himself and Spears wearing #FreeBritney T-shirts.

6:37 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Britney Spears' conservatorship terminated

From CNN's Chloe Melas and Megan Thomas

After 13 years, Britney Spears' conservatorship is over.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny ended the court-ordered arrangement during a hearing on Friday.

Her ruling follows a tumultuous, lengthy, and highly publicized legal battle between the singer and her father, Jamie Spears, who was previously suspended as her conservator. He had held the role since 2008, overseeing his daughter’s estate and controlling much of her personal and professional life.

Spears spoke out publicly against the conservatorship over the summer, calling it abusive and pleading with the court to end the arrangement.

4:33 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Spears' conservatorship could soon come to an end

From CNN's Chloe Melas

A hearing on the fate of Britney Spears' 13-year court-ordered conservatorship is unfolding in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny is expected to answer Spears' request to terminate her conservatorship. The hearing was scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The court date comes a little over a month since Spears' father, Jamie Spears, was suspended as the conservator of his daughter's estate. A role he had held since the arrangement was first put into place in 2009.

"This week is gonna be very interesting for me! I haven't prayed for something more in my life," the singer wrote in an Instagram post earlier this week that she has since deleted.

But remember: Even if Spears' is granted her request to end the conservatorship, her attorney, Mathew Rosengart, has said her legal battle will continue. Rosengart filed a 110-page petition last month requesting to depose the elder Spears, as well as asking for discovery related to alleged surveillance of his client. This is a direct result of The New York Times' report that the Grammy winner's father illegally placed recording devices in her bedroom without her consent.

3:47 p.m. ET, November 12, 2021

Britney Spears sports #FreeBritney shirt ahead of court hearing on her conservatorship

Britney Spears' fiance Sam Asghari shared a video on Instagram of the pair wearing #FreeBritney T-shirts hours before a judge is expected to rule on her longstanding conservatorship.

Underneath #FreeBritney the shirt reads "It's a human rights movement."

Watch the video: