Britney reaches custody settlement

10:22pm Friday 18th July 2008

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have reached an agreement that grants the pop singer more overnight visits with her children and averts a custody trial scheduled for next month, lawyers have said.

The agreement was announced following a closed-door session between lawyers for both sides and a Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner. Neither Spears or Federline appeared, but the settlement resolves several lingering financial and visitation issues, lawyers said.

Spears will now have three visits a week from Sean Preston and Jayden James, with at least two overnight visits, her lawyer, Laura Wasser, told The Associated Press. Spears was granted one overnight visitation per week in late June.

A trial on several issues was scheduled for late August, although Ms Wasser said Spears was not seeking a change in her custodial rights because she is currently under the conservatorship of her father. James Spears currently controls the 26-year-old singer's personal and financial affairs. "The fact is, it's a win for the family," Ms Wasser said.

Mark Vincent Kaplan, who represents Federline, said his client was also pleased that an agreement had been reached. He declined to comment on any specifics of the agreement. "This has been a long ordeal and to have that over is something that makes him extremely happy," Mr Kaplan said in a brief statement after the courthouse meeting.

Spears lost custody last year and had a two-month period earlier this year when she could not see her sons after several high-profile incidents of erratic behaviour.

The couple were married in 2004 and finalised their divorce last July and have been wrangling over custody issues for several months since then.

The lawyers still have to file a formal settlement agreement with the court.

A hearing on Spears' conservatorship is scheduled for July 31.

Ms Wasser said the agreement is another sign of Spears' continued recovery. She said the singer has been motivated to improve her life for her children's sake, and to re-establish her career. "The difference from the beginning of this year to now is astonishing," Ms Wasser said.

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