Conservatorship Isn’t Just a Britney Spears Story: Here’s What It Means in Nebraska

Let’s get this out of the way first: I’ve been a Britney Spears fan since the days of low-rise jeans and Motorola Razrs. I saw her live in 2009 while I was in college (an absolutely unhinged and unforgettable experience), and for two years I had a “Free Britney” flag hanging in my home gym—not as a trendy decoration, but as a quiet little protest and a very loud reminder of what can go wrong when someone’s autonomy is taken out of their hands.

For those of us who followed Britney’s case, the word conservatorship probably carries some baggage. But outside of the headlines and hashtags, conservatorship is a real and serious legal tool—and in the right context, it can be necessary and protective. The key is that it has to be justified, and it has to respect the rights of the person involved.

In Nebraska, when we talk about a conservatorship of the person (sometimes called a guardianship, depending on the situation), we’re talking about the court giving someone legal authority to make personal decisions for another adult who can’t make those decisions safely on their own. These are decisions about health care, housing, daily routines, and safety—not about money. (That’s a different thing called a conservatorship of the estate.)

A court doesn’t just hand this power over lightly. There has to be medical evidence, testimony, and a legal process where the person at the center of it all—sometimes called the “ward”—has rights and representation. They can object. They can ask for someone else to be appointed. They can even request an independent evaluation. In other words, we try to build in protections to make sure this isn’t about control—it’s about care.

But here’s the honest truth: it still gets complicated. Especially when the person needing help is high-functioning in some ways, or when family dynamics are messy (and let’s be real, they often are). I’ve worked with families in heartbreaking situations where everyone is trying to do the right thing, but no one agrees on what that is. And I’ve also seen cases where the system was used more for convenience than for actual necessity.

So if you’re navigating this—or think you might need to—it’s important to get clear about what’s really going on. Is this about safety? Is someone truly unable to meet their basic needs or understand their situation? Or are we uncomfortable with their choices? There’s a difference. And the court is supposed to care about that difference.

Britney’s case reminded a lot of people (myself included) just how important it is to ask those questions. Because while a conservatorship can be life-saving, it can also be misused if no one’s paying attention. And even though most of us aren’t international pop stars, everyone deserves the same dignity and oversight.

If you have questions about conservatorships or guardianships in Nebraska, I’m here—and I care about getting it right. Whether you’re trying to protect someone vulnerable or you’re the one worried about losing your own voice in the process, I want to help you feel seen, heard, and respected. Please contact me to help you through this at 402-259-0059 or email me at zach@zandersonlaw.com.