EXPLAINER: Conservatorships and how Britney Spears was freed

A judge has ended the conservatorship that has controlled Britney Spears' life and money for nearly 14 years

LOS ANGELES -- A judge has freed Britney Spears from the conservatorship that controlled her life and money for nearly 14 years.

Here’s a look at how conservatorships operate, what’s unusual about hers, and how calls from her and her fans to #FreeBritney eventually worked.

HOW DO CONSERVATORSHIPS WORK?

When a person is considered to have a severely diminished mental capacity, a court can step in and grant someone the power to make financial decisions and major life choices for them.