Ms Spears and Mr Federline divorced last year

Los Angeles court commissioner Scott Gordon ruled Ms Spears' actions had led to delays in the case, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Mr Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, had asked for nearly $500,000 (�249,525) to cover the costs.

Ms Spears' lawyer, Stacy Phillips, argued that he was over-charging.

Restraining order

The couple divorced last July after three years of marriage.

Mr Federline was awarded primary custody of their children, two-year-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, aged one, in October.

Meanwhile a judge has extended a temporary restraining order against Sam Lutfi, Ms Spears' former manager, for one month.

The move was agreed in advance by Mr Lutfi and Ms Spears' father, Jamie, who currently controls the 26-year-old singer's personal and business affairs.

In February, a Los Angeles judge ordered Mr Lutfi not go within 250 yards (228 metres) of the pop star.

Ms Spears' mother Lynne has alleged that Mr Lutfi had drugged her daughter, cut her home phone and taken control of her finances.