LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears was ordered Monday to surrender custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Superior Court Judge Scott M. Gordon ruled that Federline will take custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, beginning Wednesday "until further order of the court."

The order stemmed from an unspecified oral motion made by Federline's attorneys and was handled in a closed-door hearing. The judge's order didn't state the reason for the change in custody and all transcripts of the proceedings were ordered sealed.

Phone messages left for representatives of Spears and Federline were not immediately returned Monday.

Last month, Gordon said Spears engaged in "habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol." He ordered the pop star to undergo random drug and alcohol testing twice a week as part of her ongoing custody dispute with Federline.

Spears also was previously ordered to meet weekly with a "parenting coach" who was to observe and report back to the court about her parenting skills. Both Spears and Federline must complete the court's "Parenting Without Conflict" class.

Spears, 25, and Federline, 29, were wed in October 2004. She filed for divorce last November and it became official in July. The two have joint custody of their sons, but Federline is seeking a greater share of custody.

Since Spears became single, her troubles have played out in the tabloids. First she was photographed at various Hollywood hotspots partying with Paris Hilton. Some photos captured Spears without panties. Then Spears shaved her head, beat a car with an umbrella and ended up spending a month in rehab.

An MTV Video Music Awards performance last month meant to herald her comeback was universally panned. The following week, Spears' management firm dropped her and her divorce lawyer resigned.

She then was charged with misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run and driving without a valid license for allegedly crashing into a parked car in August.

Spears' new album will be released Nov. 13.

I dont' know that he's any better of a parent. I think everyone saw this trainwreck coming when those too got together.

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

I think this is probably in the best interest of the boys but as a mother myself my heart goes out to her. I hope this is the wake up call she needs to get herself in order. I dont think it is going to be quite rock bottom for her but who knows.

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

I heard on the radio this morning that Britney has already surrendered custody!

She turned her children over before she was required to do so - to K-Fed's bodyguards! How pathetic is that? There's already pictures on the Internet of her grinning after the verdict. Most women would be devastated but not Brit. I guess her partying will be easier now that she's unencumbered by her children. I think it's pretty sad when K-Fed is a better parent than you are.

I have pitty for this girl. I really hope she wakes up, I think her life will be short lived if she doesn't get help.

I feel bad for the boys. Whats really sad is if anyone else was to do half the stuff she has CPS would have been involved with them along time ago.

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

Heard an interesting tidbit on Dr. Phil just now.....that K-Fed's $20k/month alimony ends this month. If he has custody of the kids, he will get increased child support at the time that his alimony dries up.

On the flip side, if she wanted her kids back, she really ought to have shown up in front of the judge yesterday for the hearing.

What a sad state of affairs for those boys. What a crazy life for them being drug (no pun intended) around with the paparazzi following them around, cameras flashing. They never look like happy little kids.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I really don't understand why she didn't get her driver license and do the drug testing......to me if she really wanted those kids she would have at least met the court requirements. She is in such an out of control spiral, I really pray that Dad takes care of the kids. I really feel bad for those kids......

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O