Ever since her public meltdown several years ago, Britney Spears has been under the conservatorship of her father and attorney, but now she's asking a judge to lift it - at least partially.

Spears had a meeting last week with Judge Reva Goetz, during which the pop star said she's fine with continuing the conservatorship over her business decisions, but she's ready to take control of her personal life.

"Britney said she doesn't understand why it's still in place and expressed her belief that she has got to be the only person under a conservatorship that has managed to land a $15 million work contract [on 'The X Factor']," a source said.

But the judge, who is the only person able to lift the conservatorship, may not do so if Spears' doctors continue to recommend it remain in place.

"Britney's team of doctors just don't feel that she is ready for the conservatorship to end," the source said. "They have specific concerns related to her mental health and aren't ready to tell the judge that Britney is ready to go it alone just yet."

TMZ reports that Spears "has a serious medical issue that prevents her from making consistently sound decisions"

The medical disorder affects Spears' personality and her state of mind, according to the celebrity gossip site.

Speculation is abound about how Spears will fare when she appears weekly on live television once "The X Factor" premieres Sept. 12.

Tags: Britney Spears X factor