Britney Spears & Kevin Federline: Custody Lost, Conservatorship Born

What Happened

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline married in September 2004, just months after meeting. Federline, a backup dancer, was still expecting a child with actress Shar Jackson when his relationship with Spears became public. They had two sons — Sean Preston (2005) and Jayden James (2006). Spears filed for divorce in November 2006, citing irreconcilable differences.

The divorce itself was straightforward. Federline did not seek spousal support, and the initial agreement provided for 50/50 custody. But in 2007, Spears's behavior became erratic and deeply concerning: she shaved her head, attacked a paparazzo's car with an umbrella, and was photographed driving with her infant son on her lap without a car seat. Federline petitioned for and received emergency sole custody.

The custody loss was a catalyst for the most controversial legal arrangement in modern celebrity history. In February 2008, a Los Angeles court placed Spears under a conservatorship controlled by her father, Jamie Spears. For 13 years, Britney had no control over her finances, career, or personal life — including her ability to marry, vote, or manage her own medical decisions. Her child support payments to Federline continued throughout, reportedly increasing to $35,000 per month as her earning capacity soared under the conservatorship.

The conservatorship was finally terminated in November 2021 after the explosive #FreeBritney movement and Spears's own testimony to the court, in which she described the arrangement as abusive. Federline eventually received increased child support of approximately $40,000 per month. The case raised profound questions about the intersection of divorce, custody, mental health, and the legal system's power to strip an individual of their fundamental rights.

Legal Breakdown: Custody and Mental Health Crisis

What This Means for Your Divorce