EXPLAINER: How conservatorships like Britney Spears’ work

Britney Spears has successfully ousted her father from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years

LOS ANGELES -- Britney Spears has successfully ousted her father from the conservatorship that controls her life and money, and she is likely to be freed to make her own decisions in November.

Here’s a look at how conservatorships operate, what’s unusual about hers, and why she and so many fans have worked to #FreeBritney.

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.