Just weeks after it was announced that her father would be leaving her conservatorship, Britney Spears and her new attorney have come out saying that her father is trying to receive $2 million in payments before he officially steps down.
In a court filing by attorney Mathew Rosengart, it is claimed the upcoming scheduled accounting of the conservatorship means that James Spears will receive significant payments. Spears has said that he wants the accounting to be completed before he steps down, the Star Tribune reported.
"Britney Spears will not be extorted," the filing says. "Mr. Spears's blatant attempt to barter suspension and removal in exchange for approximately $2 million in payments, on top of the millions already reaped from Ms. Spears's estate by Mr. Spears and his associates, is a non-starter."
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A hearing to discuss this is scheduled for Sept. 29.
James Spears has said that he was already planning to step down from his daughter's conservatorship, which he has controlled since it was established in 2008. However, no timetable had been announced for his departure, and he added it would only be after several lingering issues, like the accounting, were resolved.
James Spears also said he would fight any attempt to force him out, arguing that he has only acted in the best interest of his daughter.
In the latest filing, Rosengart asks if the conservatorship is in her best interest.
"The only question before the Court — which has, unfortunately, been lost for years — is whether Mr. Spears' prompt suspension and removal are in best the interests of Britney Spears," the filing says. It goes on to say that "the unequivocal answer is yes."
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And in Spears' public appearances where she addressed the conservatorship, she shared that it was nothing short of "abusive."
"This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good," the 39-year-old Spears said at the time. "I deserve to have a life."