Spears wins more time with tots

LOS ANGELES, May 6 (UPI) -- A family court in Los Angeles has granted struggling pop singer Britney Spears more time with her two young sons, her ex-husband's lawyer said Tuesday.

Both Spears and Kevin Federline, the father of her toddler sons, attended Tuesday's custody hearing.

Federline's attorney described the court order as "an expansion of time," but did not offer any details, People.com said.

"It is a cautious step, but a step forward nonetheless," Mark Vincent Kaplan said. "We are seeing signs of (Britney's) progress, and consistency over time is something welcome by Kevin. ... The children are doing great."

Up until Tuesday, Spears had monitored visitation rights and could see her boys several times a week. Federline has temporary physical and legal and custody of the children.

"We are so pleased with Britney's progress, and we are appreciative of the court's recognition of this progress," Spears' parents, Jamie and Lynne Spears, said in a statement issued to People.com after the custody hearing.