Britney Spears has been awarded more visitation time with her two young sons following a court hearing in Los Angeles today.

The troubled singer's current visitation rights have been extended, but ex-husband Kevin Federline will retain custody of Sean Preston, two; and Jayden James, 19 months.

Britney will be allowed to spend time with the two boys in the presence of a court-appointed monitor and her parents, but the court declined to comment how much time exactly.

Leaving Los Angeles Superior Court in a people carrier with her parents and lawyer, Britney smiled to the paparazzi as a signal she was pleased with the results.

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From glum to glad: Britney looks anxious as she arrives for court (left) and is visibly pleased with the outcome as she leaves in the afternoon (right)

Speaking outside court, Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan said: "We are pleased with the progress that seems to be coming and cautiously are going down that track.

"The timeshare is more than it had been. It's a step in the right direction.

"The order that was in place has remained in place with the exception that there has been some graduated expansion of the time for visitation.

"We are seeing signs of (Britney's) progress, and consistency over time is something welcome by Kevin.

"The children are doing really great. Kevin's eventual goal is that his children with have the benefit of both parents who are participating actively in their lives."

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Serious matter: Kevin Federline and his lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan arrive for the hearing

The expanded visitation arrangement will remain in place until the next progress report on July 15th. The next custody hearing will take place in August.

Tuesday's custody hearing was expected to focus on a psychiatric evaluation of the Toxic star, who has been hospitalised twice this year due to her erratic behaviour.

Britney lost primary custody of the boys last October, but was barred from court-monitored visits after refusing to hand the boys back to Federline following a three hour stand-off in January.

Following the stand-off, Britney was taken to a psychiatric unit tied down to stretcher, where she spent two days before leaving.

In February, she spent six days under psychiatric hold at UCLA Medical Center, before she checked out early.

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More time: Britney will be allowed supervised visits with her two sons

Following her February hospital visit, her father Jamie Spears was appointed co-conservatorship of the singer's multi-million dollar estate and has moved in with his famous daughter.

Following the hearing today, Britney's parents Jamie and Lynne Spears released a statement saying: "We're so pleased with Britney's progress and we're very appreciative of the court's recognition of her progress."

In contrast of her often-dishevelled appearance of recent months, Britney looked smart as she arrived in a brown, polka dot dress and a short cream cardigan.

In the courtroom, the singer whispered her name to a judge as she stood in front of a packed courtroom.

"Britney" she mumbled when Commissioner Scott Gordon asked her to confirm her identity.

"I need your full name" the judge said, as sniggers rang out around the packed courtroom.

"Britney Spears" she said a little more loudly.

Britney and her ex glanced quickly at one another as they stood with their lawyers in the front of department 88 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

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Bitter split: Britney and Kevin, pictured in happier times, divorced after two years of marriage

But after the initial look the pair stared straight ahead as the parties were sworn in for the child custody case.

Federline, looking smart in a cream pin striped suit with a shaved head, was first to identify himself to the judge, followed by Britney, her father Jamie Spears and attorneys Mark Kaplan and Stacey Phillips.

Press and public were then asked to leave the courtroom as the Commissioner announced the hearing would be held in private.

Prior to the hearing, reporters outside the courtroom wondered whether the singer would actually show up, with two previous aborted attempts to attend hearings.

On the first occasion, earlier this year, the Toxic star drove to court but pulled a U-turn at the last minute.

The next time she stepped out of her vehicle but then announced she was scared and got back in before driving off.