Bitter Fight Over Brit in Hospital

Britney SpearsTMZ has learned there is a bitter fight underway as this story is published. It's taking place in the halls of UCLA Medical Center. As of right now, Jamie and Lynne Spears have been told they are not calling the shots in making medical decisions on behalf of Britney. Right now, it appears Sam Lutfi is in the driver's seat, but that could all change.

Sources tell us after Britney's stay at Cedars earlier this month, she had her lawyers draft paperwork making it clear she did not want her parents involved in making medical decisions on her behalf. We're told her dad had gone ballistic back then, screaming and swearing at Lutfi -- even pushing him -- in front of Britney.

As to what paperwork was signed, the cleanest thing would be if Britney signed a durable power of attorney, giving someone power to make medical decisions on her behalf in an emergency. We are told no such document was signed, but somehow Britney made it clear she wanted Lutfi to make those decisions.

Right now, the doctors at UCLA are working with Lutfi and not the parents, but lawyers have been called and the tension in the air is thick. We're told Jamie was screaming at Sam in the hallway, accusing him of trying to control his daughter's mind.

As for Britney, we're told she's not only calm, the doctors have just given her a "cigarette break!"

Stay tuned.

Reader Comments

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16. A new low!!! TMZ has done 11 storie since 3am on Brit. I use t love TMZ. Now it is the same thing as assisted suicide!!

Posted at 6:59AM on Jan 31st 2008 by kai

17. She needs to be placed in a home for aging entertainers. She is washed up, used up, and "oops, she did it again."

Posted at 6:52AM on Jan 31st 2008 by MagickSpirit

18. Something has to give. Some how she has to get help before it's too late. Think of her poor babies, what on earth is their lives going to be like with all of this happening to mommy? She needs to grow up and obviously needs help doing it!

Posted at 10:35AM on Jan 31st 2008 by Concerned

19. While I'm glad Britney is getting help, I very much doubt Lufti is the person best able to inform treatment. Isn't there some conflict if he's an EMPLOYEE? I have a feeling this issue will be in the courts. Here's hoping Brintey stays in the hospital for at least a couple of weeks.

Posted at 6:57AM on Jan 31st 2008 by alecsmom

20. WHAT A CIRCUS! EVERYONE IS YANKING CHAINS ON THAT GIRL.
SEEMS NOBODY REALLY HAS HER BEST INTEREST AT HEART. LUFTI IS A "HANGER ON" HER FOLKS.....TO LITTLE TO LATE..........
GOTTA PITY THE WHOLE SITUATION.

Posted at 6:57AM on Jan 31st 2008 by MJ

21. Brit needs to get rid of that dusche bag and get him out of her life...He be the one to get her killed..She has enough problems. He doesnt have her interest in mind..

Posted at 7:05AM on Feb 5th 2008 by thomas

22. let lufti give it a try,,,the parents are scewups....

Posted at 7:03AM on Jan 31st 2008 by RoughDaddy

23. I think Sam is a TERRIBLE force in her life, not a good one. She started deteriorating after he came on the scene. I would like nothing better than to see him taken off by some thugs and never heard from again.

If you want Britney to get better, get the crap influence of Sam Lufti out of her life.

Posted at 7:06AM on Jan 31st 2008 by eb

24. Maybe Sam is trying to control her life - Somebody needs to! Her parents had their chance for many years and they failed miserably. At least she might get some help this time...

Posted at 7:05AM on Jan 31st 2008 by mitzie83

25. Hopefully, she is doing this to clear her name once and for all. With everyone screaming that you are nuts and a bitter child custody case hinging on whether she is nuts or just an irresponsible parent, clearance from a psych ward would help. If her parents were actually qualified to help her, this scene would not be playing out before our eyes. Neither would the "baby drama" with their 15 year old.

Posted at 9:33AM on Jan 31st 2008 by gotta getta life

26. BRITANYS PARENTS WILL HAVE TO TAKE HIM TO COURT AND PROVE SHES UNFIT TO MAKE HER OWN DECISIONS ON WHOSE POWER OF ATTORNEY,UNTIL THEN LUTFI WILL AND DOES CONTROL EVERYTHING IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HER, INCLUDING HER BANK ACCOUNT!!! NO ONE CAN SAY NOTHING TO HIM UNTIL HER PARENTS TAKE IT TO COURT!!! AND EVEN THEN MIGHT BE HARD TO PROVE IN A COURT OF LAW!!!

Posted at 7:06AM on Jan 31st 2008 by HOOSIERGUY

27. when she is dead...
everyone around her will be to blame..
if anyone cared about her they'd try to work together ..
we all know she's not of right mind but if she did appoint sam her power of attorney then her parents should deal with it while she gets help..chances are when she's of right mind she will kick this ass to the curb..

Posted at 7:11AM on Jan 31st 2008 by momof2boysjj

28. I truly hope she gets the help she so desperately needs. Making fun or her is terrible TMZ. She has a disorder that does not allow her to make proper decisions. She has a mother who enabled her to the point that she doesn't know how to take care of herself because no one ever taught her to. Let this day be the beginning of a new life for her.

Posted at 7:18AM on Jan 31st 2008 by tammystruth

29. I think blood kin should override a manager decision. I do think her parents now have her best interest at heart, not this Lufti man. This is one big mess. When Britney expressed she didn't want her parents intervention, I am not sure she was thinking clearly. She definitely has mental issues. I feel so sorry for her and her family.

Posted at 7:18AM on Jan 31st 2008 by Beth

30. As a veteran paramedic, a true healthcare professional can seethe problem. The people that Brittany entrusts do not have her best interests at heart. Obviously troubled she needs someone that can accommodate and say no at both the same time. Being surrounded by people that only say "yes" and cannot say no are just simply enablers. This young lady's life is in dire straits and someone needs to step up and take control. The young lady has the absolute right to run her own life until someone can step in say "she is a danger to herself and/or others". I am empathetic to her situation and I wonder how many others like her are at risk because of their so called "people". The mind and body are fragile and frail when one has a personal/crises or dilemma to deal with. Without the benefit of sincere counsel (not attorneys) the downward spiral will continue and the outcome will be a loss that will be regretted by all of the ones she loves, especially her children.

Posted at 7:24AM on Jan 31st 2008 by TAC7MEDIC

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