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Opinion: Britney Spears' troubling conservatorship isn't unique. Iowa officials must continue to battle abuses.
In Iowa, there have been documented cases of serious conservatorship abuse involving conservators misappropriating and misusing assets and charging excessive and unjustifiable fees.
The case of pop star Britney Spears is increasing public awareness of long-standing major problems in guardianship and conservatorship systems in Iowa and other states. Thirteen years ago, a court appointed Britney Spears’ father as her conservator, granting him the power to make decisions for her because of concerns about her mental health. Her conservatorship has continued to this day despite that fact that she has been able to earn millions of dollars from her performances during the conservatorship. Last week she asked a court to end the court-imposed conservatorship, describing it as abusive. A judge declined a request from Spears this week.
Conservatorship is a legal arrangement under which a court appoints someone to make decisions about the financial affairs of an adult with diminished decision-making. A guardianship is a legal arrangement under which a court appoints someone to make decisions about the personal affairs of an adult with diminished decision-making capacity. The purpose and intent of such arrangements is to protect these highly vulnerable adults.
Over 23,000 Iowans are under conservatorship and guardianship. Iowans under conservatorship include adults with intellectual disabilities, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementias, mental illnesses, and brain injuries.
The Britney Spears case highlights the need to prevent conservatorship abuse. In Iowa, there have been documented cases of serious conservatorship abuse involving conservators misappropriating and misusing the assets of persons under conservatorship and involving conservators charging excessive and unjustifiable fees.