britney spearsBritney Spears has reportedly ended her challenge to win back custody of her two children from ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Kevin’s lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan has said that the pair reached a settlement last night ahead of today’s final hearing, saving the case having to go to full trial next month.

He told OK magazine: “At about 8pm, a final settlement in the Kevin Federline-Britney Spears custody case was signed.

“All parties have agreed to the following: Kevin will retain sole legal and physical custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James.

“Britney will continue to have visitation rights which may increase over time. The agreement will be presented to the court in the morning for approval by the commissioner.”

The couple initially shared joint physical and legal custody of the boys - who turn 2 and 3 years old in September - but Britney’s custody was reduced to monitored visitation sessions last October. In January this year, her visits were cancelled after a “custody dispute” stand-off at her Studio City home which was ended with legal intervention and Britney’s hospitalisation. Her limited access was restored after her conservatorship was put in place in February but her legal team has since fought for shared custody to be reinstated.

Kaplan added that Kevin is “ecstatic” that the case has been settled and in his favour and added that “the boys are thriving” under their dad’s care. Britney will continue to have her sons for two days and one overnight stay a week.

A legal source explained that the settlement was a safe decision: “If Britney went to trial, it would have been a gamble: she could have won more time with her kids but she could have lost what was already in place.

“She’d be in a far better position until she is in better mental health, without a conservatorship in place, before fighting the case.”