Amanda Bynes Free From Conservatorship After Nine Years
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, US News, Mental Health
Emily Brown
Featured Image Credit: @amanda.bynes1986/Instagram/Alamy
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, US News, Mental Health
Former Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes is officially free from her conservatorship after nine years.
The She's The Man star, who is now 35 years old, was first placed under conservatorship in 2013 when it became clear she was struggling with her mental health and was undergoing court-ordered psychiatric care.
After almost a decade, Bynes filed documents in a Los Angeles court in February asking that her mother be withdrawn as her conservator. Judge Roger L. Lund initially issued a tentative ruling indicating the conservatorship would be brought to an end today, writing that the "Petitioner has provided facts that the conservatorship is no longer needed."
In the tentative ruling, cited by the Los Angeles Times, the judge continued: "The Capacity Declaration filed 02/22/22 concludes that conservatee has capacity [to] give informed consent to any form of medical treatment. The court determines that the conservatorship is no longer required and that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship of the person no longer exist.
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"The court intends to grant the petition for termination and order the conservatorship of the person of Amanda Bynes be terminated."
Bynes' conservatorship was officially ended today (March 22), meaning she is now able to make her own decisions when it comes to her personal life and finances.
The former actor commented on the news in a statement shared with People via her lawyer, David A. Esquibias, saying: "Following today's decision by the judge to terminate my conservatorship, I would like to thank my fans for their love and well wishes during this time. I would also like to thank my lawyer and my parents for their support over the last nine years.
"In the last several years, I have been working hard to improve my health so that I can live and work independently, and I will continue to prioritize my well-being in this next chapter. I am excited about my upcoming endeavors — including my fragrance line — and look forward to sharing more when I can," she continued.
Bynes has assured she has been sober for several years and said that while living under the conservatorship she has received a degree from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and has got engaged to her fiancé, Paul Michael.
Speaking to Variety ahead of the announcement, Esquibias said he was 'excited' for his client, and that Bynes herself was 'excited' at the prospect of her freedom.
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone