A Los Angeles judge has ended the conservatorship that has controlled the life of pop star Britney Spears for 13 years.
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"Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and the estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated," Judge Brenda Penny said after a hearing.
She added that the current conservator would continue working to settle ongoing financial issues in the case.
Spears described the decision as the "best day ever".
"Good God I love my fans so much it's crazy!!! I think I'm gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever. Praise the Lord. Can I get an Amen," the singer wrote on her Instagram account, followed by the hashtag #FreedBritney.
The 39-year-old singer had begged the court to terminate the legal arrangement that has governed her personal life and $US60 million estate since 2008.
She did not attend Friday's hearing in Los Angeles.
Fans outside erupted in cheers at the decision and broke into singing her hit Stronger.
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by the singer's father after she had a public breakdown and underwent treatment for undisclosed mental health issues.
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in June, Spears has received a groundswell of public support and hired a new lawyer who moved aggressively to end the restrictions.
In June, she told the court she had been traumatised and that she wanted her "life back" as soon as possible.
None of those involved in the conservatorship on Friday had opposed the request to end it.
A key question on Friday had been whether Judge Penny might require Spears to undergo a mental health evaluation, a step often taken before ending a conservatorship. She did not do so.
Interest in the case was propelled in the past year by documentaries and the #FreeBritney movement of fans who questioned why the singer lived under restrictions while successfully touring the world and earning millions of dollars.
Australian Associated Press
