Challenge to Spears' conservatorship dismissed

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A state appeals court on Monday dismissed an attorney's challenge to the order that gives Britney Spears' father control over much of her life.

Attorney Jon Eardley, who claimed to represent the pop star, filed an appeal March 11 challenging a court decision that made James Spears a co-conservator of his daughter's estate.

Justice Roger Boren of the California Court of Appeal wrote in a ruling that the court has no jurisdiction to grant an appeal.

An after-hours call seeking comment from the lawyer was not immediately returned.

Last month, Eardley tried but failed to move the probate case to federal court, claiming that the conservatorship was a violation of Spears' civil rights. A federal judge ruled that Eardley is not Spears' attorney and has no authority to act on her behalf.

James Spears was named co-conservator of his daughter's estate on Feb. 1 after she was twice hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. Conservatorships are granted for people deemed unable to take care of themselves or their affairs.

It lets the father restrict and limit visitors, retain caretakers and security guards, and gives him access to all medical records. E-mail to a friend

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