February 2, 2008 1:25

Britney Spears' dad takes control of her affairs

Court issues resraining order against her manager

Britney Spears' parents made a surprise appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court today (February 1) where her father was named temporary conservator of her affairs.

James Spears will now be temporarily responsible for the pop star's welfare, as well as her estate, sharing the latter duties with her attorney Andrew Wallette.

The court also issued a restraining order against Spears' part-time manager and friend, Sam Lutfi, and gave her parents permission to change the locks on her estate and remove anyone on the premises, reports the Associated Press.

Commissioner Reva Goetz said Spears would be under conservatorship until a follow-up hearing is held on February 4.

These rulings come on the heels of Spears' highly publicised hospitalisation for psychological evaluation earlier this week. It is the troubled singer's second such hospitalisation in the past month.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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