In the public eye Britney Spears seems to have made a remarkable recovery, but behind-the-scenes it seems she still needs to be under conservatorship - permanently.

Lawyers for the pop princess asked that the temporary co-conservatorship (which was due to end on Dec. 31) be made permanent on Tuesday afternoon and Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Riva Goetz granted the request.

Britney's father Jamie will now have long-term control over her assets, estate and business affairs and Spears's mental health will be closely monitored by a team of experts. The order will remain in tact until the 26-year-old has made a full and stable recovery.

According to TMZ, her legal team feels that a permanent conservatorship will increase her chances of regaining custody of her sons as the family commissioner will feel appeased knowing that Spears is being appropriately cared for.

"The conservatorship is necessary and appropriate for the complexity of financial and business entities and her being susceptible to undue influence," Goetz said.

Attorneys for Spears declined to comment on her current condition or how she feels about the status change.

Earlier in the day, the lawyers successfully filed an emergency motion for a protective order to stop Spears from being deposed and forced to testify in a Florida court. In November 2007, Spears was sued by her former Orlando-based manager Johnnie Wright over unpaid royalties. Spears has not yet responded to the suit and Wright had requested that she be made testify, but his request was declined.

