Spears Asks for Expanded Visitation

A Superior Court commissioner ordered lawyers for Britney Spears and Kevin Federline to meet and discuss increased visitation with Spears' extended family but did not immediately rule Thursday on an emergency motion to grant the singer monitored overnight visits with her children.

Commissioner Scott Gordon paused the hearing on the emergency motion for about 45 minutes so that the attorneys could confer.

Spears' attorney, Anne Kiley, had requested a modification of the current custody order to allow overnight stays. She argued that the visits were critical for the children to bond with their mother.

"I do think it is an emergency for them not to have overnights with their mother, which they've always had," Kiley said. "What possible concern can he (Federline) have if there are monitors present?"

Kiley said that Spears' mother would be interested in acting as a monitor and attorneys for both sides alluded to a warming of relations between Spears and her family.

Although the commissioner did not appear persuaded, he adjourned the hearing so the attorneys could meet and get back to him.

Neither Spears nor Federline were in court for the hearing.