Modern Family's Ariel Winter Is Officially Emancipated: ''I Can't Wait to Embark on My New Adventures''

"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."

By Bruna Nessif May 16, 2015 1:30 AMTags
Ariel Winter, iHeartRadio Music AwardsJason Merritt/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Ariel Winter's legal drama is officially over.

E! News confirms that the court has granted the 17-year-old Modern Family star full emancipation, and the actress didn't waste any time when it came to celebrating the news.

Winter took to Twitter to write, "I am now officially emancipated!!!" and also gave a shout-out to her sister Shanelle Gray (who was also named her permanent guardian last year), as well as her father, Glenn Workman.

"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. Most importantly I want to thank @shanelle_gray and my father for their special support regarding this matter, I really couldn't have done it without them.

"Thank you to all of my family, friends, and fans who have supported me through all of my endeavors in life, and have encouraged me. Thank you for making my life so special! I can't wait to embark on my new adventures. xo."

Winter's attorney, Amir Pitchvai, tells E! News Ariel is a "capable and responsible adult," and "she's very happy."

The young star had been living with her older sibling since 2012, when a temporary guardianship was initially put into place after Winter alleged that her mother, Chrisoula Workman, was physically and emotionally abusing her.

A different judge previously said that an initial report by child protective services found evidence of emotional abuse, but that claims of physical abuse were unsubstantiated. Workman insisted that the allegations made against her were false.

Gray and Workman released a statement last year saying that "The family has moved beyond the conflict."

—Additional reporting by Baker Machado