Since April 2019, Britney Spears’ fans have been flooding social media with the hashtag #FreeBritney in hopes of uncovering the truth about the Princess of Pop’s conservatorship.
Spears was placed under the legal guardianship in February 2008 after she suffered a public breakdown amid her divorce from Kevin Federline, with whom she shares sons Preston and Jayden. Her father, Jamie Spears, has been the main conservator of Britney’s person and her estate, but attorney Andrew Wallet and licensed fiduciary Jodi Montgomery have also had roles in the case.
Wallet abruptly resigned as co-conservator in March 2019, two months after the “Toxic” singer announced that she was going on an indefinite work hiatus. Britney subsequently spent a month in a mental health facility. That September, Jamie temporarily relinquished his powers to Montgomery, citing “personal health reasons.” Wallet took legal steps to return to his role in August 2020 but ultimately was not brought back.
Montgomery’s stint is set to end in August 2021, but Britney stated in court documents in August 2020 that she is “strongly opposed to having [Jamie] return.” She asked that Montgomery continue as the conservator of her person and that a “qualified corporate fiduciary” replace her dad’s control of her estate.