Jamie Spears asks to temporarily step down as Britney's conservator after child abuse claim
Jamie Spears wants to remove himself as his daughter's conservator — but only for four months. According to new legal documents filed by Jamie and obtained by TMZ, he is asking "to temporarily relinquish the powers of conservatorship ... due to personal health reasons." Britney Spears's father has battled serious colon issues as he was hospitalized with a "life-threatening illness" last year.
What isn't mentioned in the filing is that Jamie is being investigated for an alleged physical altercation with his grandson, 13-year-old Sean Preston. TMZ reports Jamie wants to find a temporary replacement before Kevin Federline can challenge his conservatorship amid the abuse claim. Yahoo Entertainment reached out to a lawyer for Federline but did not immediately receive a response.
Jamie asks that Jodi Montgomery, whom he describes as the 37-year-old singer’s "care manager" for the last year, step in through January 20, 2020. He wants her to have the same control he has had for the last decade — like the power to restrict visitors, the power to communicate with medical personnel and have access to all of Britney's records and the power to retain caretakers and security for the star. Jamie has requested an expedited hearing next Monday, claiming that Britney is "able but unwilling" to attend. A lawyer and publicist for Britney did not respond to Yahoo Entertainment's request for comment.
This week, it was revealed an incident occurred on the evening of Aug. 24 between Jamie and Sean Preston, which led Federline to accuse Britney's father of child abuse.
"There was a disagreement that occurred while Britney and the children were visiting with Jamie at his home that led to a physical altercation that was observed by Jayden," Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, confirmed to People. "Britney did the right thing and removed the children and took them out of there, but the trauma to the kids is nonetheless."
Jamie reportedly broke down a bedroom door and "violently shook" Sean. The alleged altercation happened when Britney had the children. Federline filed a police report at the Ventura County Sheriff’s station alleging battery on his son. The incident prompted Federline — who is father to Britney's two sons Sean and Jayden, 12 — to file documents on Aug. 28 to amend the couple's former 50/50 custody agreement. Federline's lawyer said his client already has custody of the boys for "closer to 90" percent, an arrangement that has unofficially in place for "almost the last year." The filing seeks to make it legal. Britney will still be able to have supervised visits.
"It was important to Kevin that regardless of this event that the kids still had continuing and meaningful contact with their mother," Kaplan stated.
Amid the drama, Spears shared on Instagram that she's "on a much needed vacay by myself."
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