In 2003, Britney Spears, the superstar pop singer, had all of her legal rights taken away from her and given to her father. Over the past decade, a concerted effort has been underway to #FreeBritney. The process that led to her ability to make decisions for herself is called guardianship or conservatorship. In this episode, Devan and Tyler talk through the process, the reasons it is helpful for many individuals and patients, but also the potential issues that arise when someone’s legal power to direct their own lives is upset.

Read More about #FreeBritney, Conservatorship & Guardians here:

• “Britney Spears’ Conservatorship is terminated after 13 years,” Washington Post (Nov 12, 2021).

• “Why Longtime Britney Spears fans are Demanding to #FreeBritney,” Harpers Bazaar (Nov 12, 2021).

• “Spears case spotlights state efforts to rein in conservators,” PBS News Hour (Oct 01, 2021)

• “Public Conservatorship: An Ancient, Evolving Tool for Our Most Vulnerable Patients,” Proceedings of UCLA Health (2018).