WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON?

As the legal drama surrounding Britney Spears continues to unfold, we take a look at conservatorships and why the star is fighting hers

- JACK WHITE

Whether or not you’re interested in the life of Britney Spears, it’s hard not to sympathise with the singer, 39, right now after the shocking claims she’s made against her father Jamie.

You’ll likely remember the harrowing images of Britney from her very public meltdown in 2007 – when she was seen shaving her head and attacking a car with an umbrella in full view of the pack of paparazzi following her every move.

Britney was placed under conservatorship in 2008 after being deemed unable to make her own decisions. But what is a conservatorship, and why is Britney now publicly hitting out at Jamie, the man put in place to look after her?

Closely monitored

Usually reserved for those with dementia or other mental illnesses, a conservatorship sees a guardian appointed to manage a person’s daily life and sometimes, as in Britney’s case, their finances.