HealthDay reporter
MONDAY, Oct. 18, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Pop singer Britney Spears was at the height of her fame in 2008 when, through a series of secret legal maneuvers, her father gained conservatism over her and took control of her personal and financial affairs.
Spears’ plight and the #FreeBritney movement have shed light on the US custody system, which experts say is shrouded in secrecy, ripe for abuse and in desperate need of reform.
About 1.3 million guardianship or conservation cases are active at any one time in the United States, managing assets totaling at least $ 50 billion for people whose rights have essentially been revoked, according to the National Disability Council.
Most guardianships are led by family members and favor the person who is placed under one, but high-ranking cases like Spears show the potential for financial exploitation under such arrangements, said Dr. Sam Sugar, founder of American Against Abusive Probate Guardians in an interview with HealthDay now.
The system “was perverted by laws that were supposed to help people introduce laws that were undermined in a money-making scheme, as guardianship is only about money — especially professional guardianship, which leads to the abuse and exploitation of the money itself. people are vulnerable, ”Zahar said.
Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, persuaded a judge to put her in a conservatory after a series of public outbursts by the singer that left some questioning her judgment.
California documents noted “dementia” as the reason for Spears’ conservatism, but “I think it was more of a queue for her to take what was considered an inappropriate choice in terms of how she spends her money. who spends her time with, “said Jasmine Harris, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey and an expert on disability law.
Spears’ father controlled her career and finances until earlier this month, when a judge ordered her removed from her conservatory.
Spears’ body illuminates a new light
Spears has struggled with her conservatism for years, but only months ago she was allowed to speak for herself in court, Harris said.
“We are only talking about this because in June Britney Spears had the opportunity to speak directly to the public and the court,” Harris told HealthDay now. “This transparency and accountability are vital in an institution like guardianship.”
Most Americans who come under guardianship suffer from medical problems that can impair their ability to make decisions, Harris and Zahar said.
These include young people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, older people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and people suffering from severe mental illness.
“The state has this interest in defending the interests of people who are considered incompetent. These may be children. These may be elderly people. Most often people with disabilities,” Harris said.
Many times, custody is imposed on a special education student who turns 18 after their school district offers relocation to a parent, Harris said.
The districts say: “Look, your child is coming of age [turning 18]”If you want to continue to care for their health and education, you have to go to court and ask for guardianship,” Harris said.
But people have also been placed under guardianship for more obscure reasons related to their personal decisions and actions, Harris added.
Watch HealthDay now interview for the conservatories below: