Court May Extend Dad's Control Over Britney

By Howard Breuer

Originally posted Thursday February 14, 2008 11:50 AM EST

Jamie and Britney Spears Photo by: Flynet; INF

A commissioner will consider extending Jamie Spears's temporary control over his daughter's estate in a hearing Thursday afternoon, amid signs that his approach is keeping Britney Spears safe and out of trouble.

The singer's father has been overseeing her well-being and her $100-million fortune since Feb. 1, when Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz named him and Andrew Wallet temporary co-conservators – giving them the right to employ bodyguards who control her actions and restrict her visitors.

Since then, they seem to have kept the pop princess on a tight leash, forcing Britney to keep an uncharacteristically low profile (no appearance of her pink wig, no overnight stays at the Four Seasons). Although she has been spending much time holed up at her Summit house, she was recently spotted shopping with her mom, Lynne, and has been making regular trips to the Millennium Dance Complex.

Text-Messaging Friends

While Spears has been on her best behavior, sources say she's been text-messaging friends from inside the house, complaining that she's bored.

"She's getting proper medical care and has professional security. The chaos has been removed from the situation," says one legal insider, who anticipates that Goetz will prolong the temporary conservatorship at the hearing. (Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., Pacific time.)

It is possible Spears could appear, although she has consistently avoided the courtroom in the past. The 26-year-old will be represented by her court-appointed attorney, Samuel Ingham.