The controversy surrounding Britney Spears’s conservatorship continues. Most recently, one of the singer’s conservators, Jodie Montgomery, filed a request with the court to approve over $200,000 in unpaid fees. According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Jodie claims she’s owed $221,092 for work she did for Britney’s team between November 2019 to February 2021. In addition, she’s also asking for $65,465 to cover recent legal fees.
The request comes after Jodie previously asked for additional 24/7 security, which would cost approximately $50,000. Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, who is also a conservator on the singer’s estate, denied the request. However, Jodie claims she fears for her personal safety as she’s been the subjects of death threats since Britney’s explosive testimony, in which she called the conservatorship “abusive.”
This is hardly the first financial dispute Britney has faced in regard to her conservatorship. In April, it was reported the singer’s mother, Lynne Spears, filed an objection over $890,000 in legal fees charged to her daughter’s estate.
Holland & Knight, the law firm representing Britney’s father, claimed the singer was responsible for footing the bill, which included charges dating back to October 2020. However, Lynne says that a myriad of the fees were “substantively improper.” She requested that $224,000 be returned to Britney’s estate, which had allegedly been used for “press communication,” Us Weekly reports.
Interestingly, Jodie is also at odds with Britney’s father. Earlier this month, she filed court documents in which she criticized Jamie’s handling of the conservatorship. She denied Jamie’s previous assertions that she makes decisions regarding the conservatorship independently. Rather, Jodie claims that any decisions must go through Britney’s father, as he approves all expenses.
In the documents, Jodie added she’s doing everything she can to respect Britney’s wishes moving forward. Britney previously called for an end to the 13-year-long conservatorship during her infamous testimony, claiming she's not allowed to make her own financial and personal decisions, like choosing to take out her birth control or get married. However, Jodie implies that Jamie is the biggest impediment at the moment.
Previously, several members of Britney’s team have bowed out following the singer’s allegations. This includes her former attorney, Sam Ingham, and financial firm Bessemer Trust, both of whom were listed as co-conservators on her estate. Additionally, her long-time manager Larry Rudolph also quit in light of her testimony, though he was not a conservator.
Jodie has defended her decision to stay on as a co-conservator, stating that Britney has requested she remain on her team. The Sun explains the Jodie is Britney’s Conservator of Person, and is responsible for her medical treatment. The singer’s father, Jamie, however, is the Conservator of the Estate, meaning he has control over her financial and personal choices.