Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will emphasize transparency and penalize conservators who are found guilty of acting against the best interest of their clients. Newsom seeks to reform California’s conservatorship laws.
The new law comes a Judge suspended Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, as conservator of her estate after 13 years. Britney’s decision to change her own conservatorship fuels intense coverage of her case in the state. Lawmakers cited Britney’s case in advocating for the bill to become law.
The law, which highlights transparency, requires professional training for conservators who oversee estates valued at more than $1 million, according to CBS News. In addition, the law, which includes a penalty of up to $50,000, subsequently gives conservatees more control over their conservators.
“This bill saw unanimous support throughout the process because we know there are systemic failures when it comes to conservatorships in California,” Assemblymember Evan Low said in a statement. “We’ve seen the heartbreaking case of Britney Spears play out in the public eye, but there are hundreds — if not thousands — of other cases in which families are struggling. We need to do everything in our power to help them and their loved ones receive the care and support they need.”
Jamie Spears has been controlling every aspect of her daughter’s financial life by a legal conservatorship since 2008. On Wednesday afternoon, Judge Brenda J. Penny suspended him as the conservator of his daughter’s estate.
