Teenage actress Ariel Winter is officially emancipated

Modern Family star Ariel Winter has finally won her battle to erase her mother from her life.

The 17 year old, who has been estranged from her mum, Chrystal Workman, since 2012, has been legally emancipated.

The teenage actress was removed from her mother's care after allegations of emotional abuse.

Winter updated fans on the family drama on social media on Friday (15May15), writing, "I am now officially emancipated!!! I'm really lucky I have an amazing support system and lovely people in my life who have given me the support and guidance to have been given this wonderful opportunity."

Winter also thanked her sister, Shanelle Gray, who she turned to after breaking free from her mum. A judge ruled the youngster could continue to stay under the temporary guardianship of her older sister in 2013.

Workman maintains she did not abuse her daughter and lodged legal papers in a California court insisting she was the victim of her daughter's abuse following a dispute over the then-15 year old's romance with a 19-year-old boyfriend.