Friday, July 18, 2008

Devastated Britney gives up custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline

Troubled pop star Britney Spears surrendered custody of her two sons yesterday after a year and half long legal battle. Her ex-husband Kevin Federline will have sole legal and physical custody of Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, 18 months. The divorced couple have agreed to that Miss Spears, 26, will have visitation rights to see the toddlers. Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan announced the decision to a US news channel after the agreement was signed by both parties. The resolution will prevent the case from going to trial next month as previously planned. Kaplan said: 'The case has been settled. The court still has to approve it. 'All the issues that would have been addressed at trial have been settled. 'I can't speak to the exact terms of the deal. Orders now in place will stay in place.' Federline, 30, currently has full custody of the children although the lawyer said he had not intended to fight for sole custody. 'Kevin was not [out] to get custody," said Kaplan. 'Kevin's goal was to set up some kind of template so the mother of his children can co-parent. 'He said 'I need to have Britney to be involved in the co-parenting of the kids but I need there to be a structure'.' But the lawyer admitted his client was 'absolutely delighted' with the result. He said: 'Nobody could have anticipated the terms of events that have occurred....This was a two-year journey that will be halted at a point that is good for these children. Miss Spears initially had joint custody of her sons in July 2007 but her increasingly eccentric behaviour and sustained drug abuse saw Federline being awarded full temporary custody and their mother relegated to court-monitored visits. Happier times: Kevin Federline and Britney in 2006 during their two year marriage, the couple had two children Sean, 2, and Jayden, 1 In January this year she was forcibly hospitalised after police were called she refused to hand over the children after an organised visit. She was stretchered into an ambulance in full view of the press looking disorientated. She was sectioned again less than a month later after her mother arranged for a 'smash and grab' raid on their home by police after fears that her daughter was suicidal. Her father Jamie Spears has taken control of her legal affairs and banned manager Sam Lufti from approaching his daughter. The former pop princess - who is understood to be battling bipolar disorder - has made efforts of late to regain control of her personal life and is recording a new album. Last month she was granted overnight visitation rights. Until the children turn 18 custody arrangements are subject to change through the courts. Los Angeles family lawyer Lynn Soodnik said: 'Britney will have a better chance of winning more custody once she regains her health. This is just the end of Round One.'

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