LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Britney Spears was awarded extended visitation rights with her two sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, today in a progress hearing that was part of the ongoing custody battle between the pop star and her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

The hearing took up the entire morning at the Los Angeles County Courthouse, where the press were barred from courtroom after both parties were sworn in.

No details of Spears' extended visitation rights were given but Kevin Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan said this, in a press conference after that hearing:

"This represents a step moving forward ... Obviously it's something more than it has been and 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 time. Other than that, nothing has been changed with the order.

I think that's a function of the recognition of the progress to date and the signs of progress ... that have been recognized by Kevin and will be recognized by the court in due time.

Over the past few months, one would say that the daily situation has been stabilized ... The children are doing great; I think they're doing really great. And that's the key question and that's what this is all about. Whether these children will have the benefit, at some point in the future, of having both parents participating, then that will occur ... but at this point, we'll take it one step at a time."

When asked, specifically, about Spears' progress, Kaplan said, "There's a conservatorship in place and whether or not the signs of progress that have been seen are a function of the stability and structure that Mr. [Jamie] Spears has brought to the picture, I would assume so."

Federline's spokesperson, Elliot Mintz gave this statement on behalf of his client: "Kevin is extremely pleased with the way things went today and everybody seems to be hoping and believing that there are two children who will be enjoying two parents who love them and care for them."

Spears' parents Jamie and Lynn released this statement through a spokesperson: "We are so pleased with Britney's progress and we are very appreciative of the court's recognition of this progress."

That spokesperson confirmed, "There will be another progress hearing on July 15 to determine how the modified custody agreement has evolved."

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