Spears, Federline settle custody battle

Published: 6:57AM Saturday July 19, 2008 Source: Reuters

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Pop singer Britney Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline have settled their long and bitter custody battle over their two sons, but terms of the deal remained confidential.
   
Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told several media organisations late on Thursday that Federline retained sole custody of Sean Preston, two and a half, and Jayden James, 22 months, but outside a Los Angeles courthouse following a closed hearing on Friday, he declined to discuss custodial issues.
   
"I'm not going to comment on the terms of an agreement that has not yet been made an order of the court," Kaplan said.
   
Spears already had overnight visitation rights, and the Grammy-winning singer could win more visits over time.
   
Spears' attorney Laura Wasser said the agreement does not give Federline permanent custody of the children.
   
She called the deal "a victory for the entire family" because it avoids a custody trial set for August.
   
"I think that they've finally figured out a way to co-parent to make sure that their kids benefit as a result of that," Wasser said.
   
Kaplan said Federline, a rapper and dancer, was "extremely happy" that the custody battle was over.
   
Spears lost custody of the boys in January after two brief hospitalisations for psychiatric evaluation.
   
Spears, 26, and Federline, 30, broke up in late 2006, starting a widely watched divorce, which was finalized last year, and custody battle over their two children.
   
At the time, Spears saw her life spiral out of control as she began to display bizarre public behavior such as talking in a British accent despite being born and raised in Louisiana.
   
After the psychiatric hospitalisations in January, conservators including her father took control of her assets and personal affairs.
   
Since then, however, Spears' behavior has appeared to stabilise. She has stayed mostly out of the media spotlight and resumed working, taking a small role on a US television show and starting work on a new album.
   
Spears shot to fame as a child performer on the Disney Channel and won a huge fan base among teenagers, recording hit songs and building a career as a pop star. 

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