From TMZ:

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline still have one huge asset to settle — according to the Louisiana State Dept. of Revenue, the government owes the ex-couple over $50,000 from when they were still married.

The money is from an unclaimed interest fund earned from either a joint property the ex-couple sold back in Louisiana, or some shared income tax filed several years ago. The government’s just waiting for Brit and K-Fed to step forward and say it’s theirs.

But here’s the point — because the refund is jointly owned, K-Fed and Brit Brit will have to figure out how to divide up their surprise loot.

If things are going well as Kevin recently said, hopefully this will go over smoothly!

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Britney Spears is getting rid of a few things. Her conservatorship isn’t one of them.

Instead, money—both to give and receive—was the order of the day.

At the request of Geraldine Wyle, attorney for the conservatorship, the judge agreed to seal today’s proceedings because of the “medical and personal information” being discussed.

Following afternoon recess, the judge signed off on the conservators’ request regarding “the disposal of certain property” and their desire to auction off a dress Britney wore to the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards to benefit Haiti earthquake relief.

No one divulged what said property was, only that it included “items no longer useful to Spears.”

“She’s perfectly satisfied with the disposal of property,” the singer’s attorney, Samuel Ingham, said after court today. And “she was very enthusiastic” about the Haiti donation, he added.

She is “appreciative of the extra time and energy the court has given” to these proceedings, Ingham said.

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So far, no one’s got any actual pictures of Britney.

She’s no George Clooney, but Britney Spears is doing her part for the Haitian relief effort — she’s donating a dress she wore at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards for auction.

Britney was in court today for a conservatorship hearing, but has since left the courthouse because of a commitment with her kids.

Brit’s lawyer, Geraldine Wyle, asked the commissioner for authority to dispose of certain property — items that are no longer useful to her or her estate. Wyle was not specific, though we’re thinking Adnan is one of the items.

We’re told the commissioner also wants to get a first hand look-see of how Britney was doing. No reviews so far.

Update:

We now know what items the lawyers want to 86 — storage containers filled with items from Britney’s Circus Tour.

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Now you can all stop.

Britney Spears has just arrived in court for a hearing in her conservatorship — Her white escalade with her bodyguards was seen driving into the under ground car park, with Brett sitting in the back right seat.

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Update:

Jayden James and Sean Preston were just dropped off at Brit’s Calabasas home, so they will be at her house waiting when she gets back.

Update:

The pop princess entered the courtroom through the judge’s hall way door around 1:45pm, and she was all smiles as she walked in behind her father Jamie Spears. Britney wore a gray jacket and black skirt, and reporters noted that her dark brown hair had a few blonde streaks in it.

Judge Reva Goetz granted Britney’s lawyers request to seal the courtroom, which resulted in everyone being kicked out as the hearing involved personal medical information.

You might remember Courtney’s crack facebook messages a while back alleging that she had first hand authority that britney was molested by her father:

britneys dad molested her , imagine the father that molested you owning you for slavery while your forced to sing songs picked for thier sexual content every night, insane right? i have it on First had authority

(You can read about it here)

Well, quelle surprise, some nosy britney fans discovered that Court is friends with Sam Lutfi (douchebag manipulator who was “managing” Britney during her downward spiral, some have compared him to Howard K. Stern) and he is most likely her source for these allegations, read all about Sam Lutfi here and here . Read all about his various restraining orders, he has three prior to Britney, here.

Sam Lutfi tweets regularly with Courtney Love. He’s the bottom circle, the profile picture matches up with Sam’s twitter profile, the top circle is the kid who runs “fan”site Breatheheavy who has ties with Sam Lutfi.

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I’m not even a little bit surprised by this, and Courtney, you’re in danger girl, RUN.

A Los Angeles judge seeks face-time with Britney Spears, who’s expected to appear in court Friday for a 1:30 p.m. hearing in her ongoing conservatorship case.

It’s been nearly two years since the pop star’s father Jamie gained legal control over her affairs, and experts say it’s normal procedure for L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz to want to check in with the singer.

“The commissioner just wants to see with her own eyes how Britney is doing, and to get a feel for whether Britney fully understands what’s going on in her case,” says L.A. probate lawyer Jeffrey S. Cohen, who’s not involved in the case.

Experts add that Spears, 28, won’t regain control of her own life until she proves to the court – backed by doctors’ opinions – that she’s able to manage her own affairs.

Spears was ordered to appear in court last Friday but pulled a no-show after a misunderstanding occurred with the court.

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LOL @ some of you crazies.

The commissioner in the Britney Spears conservatorship case wants a command courtroom performance from Ms. Spears, and the commish is frustrated that didn’t happen today.

Commissioner Reva Goetz just confirmed what TMZ reported earlier today … that Britney was due in court at 1:30. We were told her people didn’t want her to show because Brit would be besieged by reporters.

But the commish apparently wasn’t as receptive to Britney not showing as we had heard. Commissioner Goetz said, “The court was supposed to meet with Ms. Spears this afternoon and there was a misunderstanding. I’m going to continue the matter until next Friday at 1:30 and she will be here.”

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Britney Spears decided to reward herself after her court date was postponed today — by going on a shopping trip to a jewelry store!

The weaved wonder just finished up a shopping stint in Calabasas, where she hit up the local Barnes & Noble — yes, the bookstore — and a nearby jewelry joint, which was closed down so she could peruse the goods.

As TMZ previously reported, Britney’s conservatorship hearing — which she was supposed to attend — was called off after it became apparent the media attention would be overbearing.

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Change of plans … Britney Spears won’t be heading to court today — because the commissioner is concerned about Brit being overrun by the media.

Turns out — the story we published just a few hours ago had quite the reaction — it became obvious a slew of cameras would appear for the 1:30 hearing. So the commish and others in the case have canceled her appearance.

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Britney Spears will be in court today in her conservatorship case … sources tell TMZ … because the court commissioner wants to see how she’s doing.

We’re told Britney will show up for a 1:30 PM meeting with the commissioner — in the commissioner’s chambers. We’re told Britney will be accompanied by lawyers for the estate and, presumably, daddy Jamie Spears.

Our sources say this chambers meeting is not about ending the conservatorship. We’re told the lawyers have not filed a petition to end the conservatorship, at least not yet.

As we first reported, however, the lawyers and Jamie — and Britney for sure — want to begin the process of undoing the personal conservatorship.

As for why Commissioner Reva Goetz wants to see Britney, we know the topic of ending the conservatorship has been discussed with the commissioner. It’s not unusual for a commissioner to call the subject of the conservatorship into court to see how he/she is progressing.

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NEW YORK – Former “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston’s activism has been the force behind a new state law in California that restricts the paparazzi.

Aniston’s activism was instrumental in the success of Assembly Bill 524, which takes effect from Jan 1, according to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, who revealed that the actress’ horror stories prompted her to fast track the legislation, reports hollywood.com.

The new law allows for civil penalties against the paparazzi and media outlets that sell and buy unlawfully obtained photographs and video footage of celebrities and their families.

Bass said she wrote the bill after Aniston and a group of celebrities helped her to understand just how bad the Los Angeles paparazzi problem had become.

“There have to be some boundaries. When you have children in the car and the photographers are rushing you, its just absolutely out of control. Its become a public safety issue. Somebodys going to die if we dont do something,” said Aniston.

The measure was signed into law in October 2009 by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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The judge said the c-ship wasn’t necessarily extended, she said it was just going to continue as scheduled.

According to Harvey Levin himself on TMZ Live, steps are being taken to end the c-ship on the personal side of it. The psychologist is just taking his or her time to work on it. But again, according to Harvey, steps are being taken to end the conservatorship with this all starting next month. It won’t go away in one big swoop but it is in the process of ending – Expose member Coldasfire_Baby.

I’m watching TMZ live too and this is legit, Harvey actually said this. In fact, it was my question Harvey answered.

Updated version on tmz:

Britney Spears will remain under the watchful eye of her father –

The judge didn’t specify how long the conservatorship will remain in place, but lawyers involved in the matter tell TMZ they expect it to last somewhere between six months to a year.

TMZ has learned action may be taken next month to begin the process of bringing the conservatorship to an end — at least part of it.

Britney’s dad, Jamie Spears, will continue to receive a $16,000-a-month payment for his duties. Andrew Wallet — the co-conservator — was also granted a $174,569.10 payment for services rendered between July 2009 and November 2009.

The judge also authorized Britney’s conservatorship to kick out close to $300,000 in attorney’s fees.

The next hearing is set for January 14th.

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Britney Spears will remain under the watchful eye of her father — now that a judge has ruled to extend her conservatorship.

The judge didn’t specify how long the conservatorship will remain in place, but lawyers involved in the matter tell TMZ they expect it to last somewhere between six months and a year.

Under the ruling, Britney’s dad, Jamie Spears, will continue to receive a $16,000-a-month payment for his duties. Andrew Wallet — the co-conservator — was also granted a $174,569.10 payment for services rendered between July 2009 and November 2009.

The judge also authorized Britney’s conservatorship to kick out close to $300,000 in attorney’s fees.

The next hearing is set for January 14th.

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Update:

It was an expensive day in court Tuesday for Britney Spears. In a Los Angeles courtroom Commissioner Reva Goetz ordered the co-conservatorship of Britney Spears to continue, with her father, Jamie Spears, to continue to receive $16k a month for his duties as conservator of his daughter.

Goetz also ordered the co-conservator of Britney, Andrew Wallet, to be paid $174,569.10 for services rendered from July 2009-November 2009.
In addition Goetz ordered Jamie’s attorneys to be paid $183,918 and attorney Joel Boxer to be paid $62,965.06. Another law firm was ordered to be paid $50k. Jamie Spears was also allowed to continue to receive $1200 for office space.

Samuel Ingham, the court appointed attorney for Britney Spears, said in court that, “She [Britney] accepted the accounting as filed and had no objection to it.”

Other housekeeping issues concerned continuing to seal all medical and certain business transactions because of “trade secrets” and the commissioner also increased the bond for the conservatorship from $1 million dollars to $25 million. Bond is similar to insurance in conservatorship cases, so if anything were to happen to Britney’s money she would be covered and reimbursed.
The next court hearing is scheduled for January 14th. Fees for Laura Wasser, Brit’s legal ace divorce attorney will be dealt with at that time.

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Anti-Paparazzi Law Takes Effect In January
Most celebrities can’t even burp in public without a photographer documenting their moves shot-by-shot. Yet, major money can be made documenting the thriller endeavors of Jessica Alba’s Target run, La Loca Lohan’s club hopping or basically every move that Britney Spears and Robert Pattinson make.

Our culture is obsessed with celebrity lives and in an attempt to control the madness of paparazzi invasion, California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is laying down the law and has already signed a bill that will fine photographers and media outlets up to $50,000 if they are caught taking or selling photos of a celebrity in “personal or familial activity.”

Well, if a celebrity is having a Sunday BBQ at their house, for example, and kids are running around, music is blaring and drinks are being downed like candy, a paparazzi (and media outlets) would get fined if any photo is taken or bought from an event for the purpose of profit if the law is enforced.

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Britney Spears’ team has taken the first step toward ending the conservatorship, TMZ has learned … but it’s by no means a done deal.

Sources tells us lawyers and others connected with the case have been meeting … evaluating Britney’s progress with the goal of ending the conservatorship. As we first reported, Britney’s dad, Jamie Spears, wanted to wait until her tour ended before making the big move, but it’s something he wants for his daughter only when the time is right.

We know there have been several lengthy meetings recently between the lawyers and the court commissioner in the commissioner’s chambers.

Jamie and the lawyers will not make the decision to end the conservatorship. They will weigh in, but the person with all the influence is the “capacity expert” — a psychiatrist who was appointed by the court. The capacity expert will do a thorough evaluation and submit it to the commissioner.

We’re told one of the fears Jamie has … Sam Lutfi, a guy Jamie thinks is still a threat to Britney if she allows him back in her life. He’s got that right.

There are actually two conservatorships — one over Britney, the person, and the other over Britney’s business affairs. We’re told the business conservatorship will likely continue. The issue on the table is whether to end the conservatorship over Britney, the person. Again, no decisions have been made, but it’s all moving in that direction.

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Team Britney Spears has reached a financial settlement with the paparazzo who accused the pop star of intentionally driving over his foot with her Mercedes back in 2007.

Rick Mendoza, who was working for TMZ at the time, had argued that Brit’s people “should have known … Britney was not in the mental, emotional and/or physical condition to operate the subject motor vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner.”

The terms of the settlement were not released — but Mendoza had originally demanded more than $200,000 in damages.

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Whatever, it probably costs less to settle with the douche than to fight it in court. 2 lawsuits down, 2 to go.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger knows what it’s like to be blinded by the glare of the paparazzi press. Spurred by his own experience as a movie star, not to mention a series of incidents in Los Angeles in which movie and music stars have been harassed and had their privacy invaded by swarms of tabloid shooters, Schwarzenegger signed a new bill into law on Sunday that will fine paparazzi photogs for taking pictures that invade a celebrity’s right to privacy, according to CNN.

The new California law makes it a crime to take and sell unauthorized photos of celebrities in “personal or familial activity,” and also targets media outlets that purchase those photos, with violators facing fines of up to $50,000. The law is slated to take effect in January.

While the new law may not stop the incessant hordes of photographers who swarm around celebs as they go about their daily business, some experts have predicted that it could result in a series of lawsuits against the shooters and their media outlets that could thin the herd.

Last summer, as part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s more aggressive crackdown on the practice, two paparazzi photographers were arrested for staking out Britney Spears’ Hollywood home. Earlier that year, four paparazzi were arrested by the LAPD on suspicion of reckless driving after they followed Spears on a street in the San Fernando Valley, with police alleging that at least one had tried to run the singer off the road, seemingly in an attempt to get a prized picture of her in distress.

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