Britney Spears' Dad Retains Control Over Her Finances, Personal Life

LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears' father will retain control of the pop singer's finances and personal affairs through the end of the year. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz extended James Spears' conservatorship over his daughter Thursday morning until the end of 2008. Goetz opened the hearing by saying the singer "reluctantly agreed" to extend the arrangement, and scheduled an update hearing for October. The pop singer's father assumed control over her personal life and finances earlier this year after a series of high-profile incidents of erratic behavior that twice led to her being hospitalized. Spears has since shown signs of improvement, settling a custody dispute with Kevin Federline, making successful TV cameos and working on an album this summer. Neither Spears or her father appeared in court Thursday. (link)