Britney Spears’ father ‘no longer has control’ over her

Britney Spears' father, Jamie, no longer has control over the troubled singer's affairs and estate, it has been claimed today.

The legal conservatorship granted to Jamie - and more recently her brother Bryan who attempted to get control over her day-to-day finances - has been deemed invalid.

New York attorney Jon Eardley is now acting on behalf of the 26-year-old 'Gimme More' star, who was desperate to regain control over her life - and estimated $100-million fortune.

Eardley's new spokesperson Michael Sands says a legal loophole means yesterday's order by commissioner Reva Goetz to extended the conservatorship order until at least March 10 is "void" and "invalid".

Sands said: "Because the latest court order appointing Britney's father conservator wasn't signed until after the notice of removal was filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, the order extending the conservatorship is void."

He added: "It not necessary to have a federal judge or magistrate sign a notice of removal."

This is the latest twist in the troubled singer's complex legal case, following her release from the psychiatric ward at the UCLA Medical Center earlier this month - a move that prompted her parents to release this statement: "As parents of an adult child in the throws of a mental health crisis, we were extremely disappointed this morning to learn that over the recommendation of her treating psychiatrist, our daughter Britney was released from the hospital that could best care for her and keep her safe.

"We are deeply concerned about our daughter's safety and vulnerability and we believe her life is presently at risk."

"There are conservatorship orders in place created to protect our daughter that are being blatantly disregarded.

"We ask only that the court's orders be enforced so that a tragedy may be averted."

Mother of two Britney has kept a low profile in recent days - she was spotted spending time with her British paparazzo boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, along with regular stops at Los Angeles' Millennium Dance Complex.

She also stepped out for a shopping spree with mother Lynne, who has since returned to her home in Kentwood, Louisiana, to be reunited with Britney's 16-year-old pregnant sister Jamie-Lynn.

By Owen Williams, Feb 15 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy