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The "Piece of Me" singer, 39, has begged the
court to terminate the conservatorship that has governed her
personal life and $60 million estate since 2008.
The arrangement was set up and overseen by the singer's father
after she had a public breakdown and underwent treatment for
undisclosed mental health issues.
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in
June, Spears has received a groundswell of public support and
hired a new lawyer who has moved aggressively to end the
restrictions.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny is
scheduled to consider that request and possibly rule on the
matter at a public hearing on Friday. None of those involved in
the conservatorship opposes the request.
"This week is gonna be very interesting for me!" Spears wrote on
Instagram earlier this week. "I haven't prayed for something
more in my life!"
It is unclear if the singer will appear in person at the court
on Friday or speak via audio as she has sometimes done in the
past.
A key question is whether Penny might require Spears to undergo
a mental health evaluation, a step often taken before ending a
conservatorship. The singer has asked to be released without a
new psychiatric assessment.
In June, Spears told the court she had been traumatized and
wanted her "life back" as soon as possible. She said she had
been forced to work and take medication against her will and was
prevented from marrying or even getting her hair and nails done.
Her father, Jamie Spears, has said through attorneys that he
helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and always acted in
her best interest.
In an unexpected move in early September, he reversed his stance
on the conservatorship and said he supported termination because
the arrangement had helped her and was no longer needed.
Penny suspended Jamie Spears from the conservatorship in late
September, calling his involvement "toxic" to the singer's
well-being, and temporarily replaced him with an accountant.
Interest in the case was propelled in the past year by
documentaries and a #FreeBritney movement of fans who questioned
why the singer has lived under restrictions while successfully
touring around the world and earning millions of dollars.
The fans, who have gathered outside the courthouse waving pink
signs to show support, plan to hold a celebration on Friday
evening if the judge delivers the milestone ruling they are
hoping for.
Spears is engaged to personal trainer Sam Asghari and has said
she wants to have more children. She has two teenage sons from
her previous marriage to Kevin Federline.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles; Editing by Matthew
Lewis)
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