Calling it her "best day ever", pop star Britney Spears regained freedom over her life and finances yesterday when a Los Angeles judge ended the conservatorship that had restricted her for more than 13 years.
"Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and the estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated," Judge Brenda Penny said after a 30-minute hearing in which no one opposed ending the court-sanctioned arrangement.
The 39-year-old singer had begged the court for months to terminate the conservatorship that has governed her personal life and $60 million estate since 2008.
She did not attend yesterday's hearing but said in an Instagram post: "I love my fans so much it’s crazy!!! I think I'm gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever."
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Outside the courthouse, dozens of fans waving pink signs of support erupted into cheers at the decision.
Some danced and sang her hit "Stronger".
"It was a monumental day for Britney Spears," the pop star's attorney, Mathew Rosengart, said outside the courthouse.
He thanked fans in the #FreeBritney movement who he said had been essential to ending the legal arrangement.
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by the singer's father Jamie after she had a public breakdown in 2007 and was hospitalised for undisclosed mental health issues.
Interest in the case was propelled in the past year by documentaries and the #FreeBritney movement of fans who questioned why the singer lived under restrictions while successfully touring around the world and earning millions of dollars.
Lauriann Wright, the attorney for Jodi Montgomery, who had been entrusted with overseeing Ms Spears' personal life, told the judge there was "no reason this termination cannot happen and Ms Spears cannot live a safe, happy and fulfilling life".
Mr Rosengart said a "safety net" had been put in place to help Ms Spears transition back to regular life.
Judge Penny added that the current conservator should continue working to settle ongoing financial issues in the case.
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in June, Ms Spears has received a groundswell of public support and hired Mr Rosengart, who moved aggressively to end the restrictions.
In June, she told the court she had been traumatised and that she 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.
"She stepped up on June 23 and really shocked the country and shocked the world with her powerful, poignant words," Mr Rosengart said, saying he was proud of the singer.
A key question yesterday had been whether Judge Penny might require Ms Spears to undergo a mental health evaluation, a step often taken before ending a conservatorship. She did not do so.
The arrangement began to crumble in September when in a sudden reversal Jamie Spears said he supported ending it because it had helped her and was no longer needed.
Judge Penny suspended Jamie Spears from the conservatorship in late September, calling his involvement "toxic" to the singer's well-being.
Mr Rosengart is pushing for Jamie Spears to be investigated for possible financial mismanagement of his daughter's affairs, but he said yesterday it would be up to Britney Spears to decide how to proceed on that matter.
Jamie Spears has said through attorneys that he helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and always acted in her best interest.
Fans celebrate in LA
There were cheers mixed with tears outside a court in Los Angeles yesterday, as fans of Britney Spears celebrated the termination of the singer's conservatorship.
Supporters had flown in from around the world to see the end of the controversial legal arrangement that controlled her life and career since 2008.
A road outside Los Angeles Superior Court was closed to traffic as fans gathered to hear the news for which many of them had waited years.
Pink confetti lingered through sunny Southern California skies, as supporters danced and sang while waving placards bearing pro-Spears slogans.
When news of the termination filtered through, wild scenes of celebration broke out with fans sobbing in the street.
For some, it was the culmination of a years-long campaign and vindication for the #FreeBritney movement.
Adam McIntyre is a 19-year-old from Brighton. He flew to California for the hearing.
He described the moment the crowd found out about the termination as "electrifying".
He told the PA news agency: "The sigh of relief, everyone was so grateful. It's going to do so much for conservatorship abuse globally. And for Britney - she can finally just live a life that she has wanted to live."
Carmen Puentes, 31, flew in from Chicago. Recalling the moment she heard the news, the grocery store manager said: "My heart dropped and time stood still. I know God is good and I really, really did have faith. It's such a relief.
"I'm visiting LA for the first time and I got what I was looking for. I can go home happy and can take her (Spears) home in spirit."
Jason Rivera, a 31-year-old graphic designer, had flown across the US from Connecticut to show his support for Spears.
He Said: "It's surreal. At first, I almost didn't believe it, I had to keep refreshing Twitter. It wasn't until Mathew Rosengart (Spears's lawyer) came out and told us the good news.
"It feels surreal and I'm just so excited for Britney to celebrate today."
Mr Rivera, who was carrying a "Free Britney" banner emblazoned with an image of his idol, was marching through the streets when news of the termination filtered through.
He added: "It was so exciting, everyone was crying and hugging. I'm not a public crier so I was choking back the tears."
Samantha Dussell, a 53-year-old stay-at-home mother from the city of Riverside, a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, fought back tears while discussing the conservatorship.
"I'm just really happy for her," she said.
"Because if they didn't approve it then what hope is there for other people? Britney Spears has fought a long time so if they can deny her for so long, what hope is there for anyone else?
"But she gave everybody hope and she brought attention to this terrible institution (conservatorships)."
