Britney Spears Given $1,500 Week Allowance

Britney Spears Given $1,500 Week Allowance 3/11/08

Britney Spears has been given a $1,500-per-week debit card allowance by a Los Angeles judge.

Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz set the Toxic singer's spending limit at a Spears estate conservatorship hearing on Monday (10Mar08).

As her court-appointed conservator, Spears' father Jamie fought for the allowance, explaining the cash would give the singer more freedom.

His attorney, Geraldine Wyle, told the court the allowance would allow Britney to "spend money, have her freedom, and make choices about how she wants to enjoy her life".

Spears herself skipped the hearing, despite being advised to attend by her attorney Samuel Ingham - who revealed to reporters that she objected to elements of the hearing.

In court, it was also revealed that a probate commissioner has hired two specialist lawyers to help Spears, who is worth an estimated $100 million, and her legal team to organize her estate.

The first, Tom Hansen, will be paid $15,000 per month to preside over Spears' entertainment contracts.

The second, Jorge Hernandez, will pick up a $25,000 retainer to act as a consultant on all questions relating to the conservatorship.

Meanwhile, at a separate hearing concerning Spears' ongoing custody battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline, her lawyer Stacy Phillips objected to her client paying Federline's $500,000 legal bill.

Phillips told the hearing Spears has already spent over $1 million for custody of her two sons and shouldn't have to pay her former spouse's legal expenses too.

Spears' lawyer also accused Federline of paying his attorneys too much, and leading an overly-excessive lifestyle.

She cited an example of one incident, during which Federline allegedly left a $2,000 tip on a $365 restaurant bill, arguing that if he can afford to be so frivolous with money then he should pay his own legal costs.

Commissioner Scott Gordon didn't rule in the private hearing, although Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini says a ruling may be made on Tuesday (11Mar08).