How Does Britney Spears Get Married Under a Conservatorship?

Legal expert breaks it down, from wedding expenses to...Jason Trawick's prenup with Britney's dad?!

Is Jamie Spears ready to give his little girl away again? It's hard to say.

Because Britney Spears has been in a conservatorship since her almost career-ending meltdown in 2008, Jason Trawick is legally bound to ask her father—who holds the keys to the castle—for permission to marry Britney, family law expert Lisa Helfend Meyer tells E! News.

And what if Jamie says (or said) no? Does Trawick whisk Britney away on the back of his motorcycle, like in the "Criminal" video?

"If he doesn't consent, then her marriage would not be legal," Meyer said. "It's very restrictive. It's not like you are marrying an adult."

Biologically, of course, Britney's a 30-year-old adult. But Jamie is the one who makes financial, medical and career decisions on her behalf. She has even been excused from giving depositions in various legal matters over the years because the judge overseeing her case has agreed with Britney's conservators (Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet) that she's not competent to testify.

But she's been competent to make millions on tour...right?

Seemingly so. Spears has been free to petition to get her affairs back under her control for years now, Meyer said, adding that it's anyone's guess as to why the pop star has left things the way they are.

And now, presuming Jamie has agreed, she's getting married!

But so long as Britney's conservatorship remains, if there's a prenuptial agreement, Trawick will be entering into it with Jamie, Meyer says. And Britney could very well need her father's permission to rent a venue, purchase a wedding dress, pick out flowers, etc.—especially considering all of those things are likely to cost a pretty penny.

Jamie would also have to cosign the purchase agreement if Britney buys (or helps buy) a new house, Meyer adds.

And say, unfortunately, that Britney and Trawick get divorced—if she's still under the conservatorship, Jamie will have to sign off on any financial settlement they arrive at.

A conservators' hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, but at this point, only an allowance of fees and a motion to seal court records are on the agenda.