Ariel Winter has a strong bond with her older sister, Shanelle Grey.

Grey has been granted Permanent guardianship over her 16 year-old sibling, according to the Associated Press.

This is a huge step in Winter's family custody case, which has been a long and tedious court battle between herself and her mother, Chrisoula "Crystal" Workman, who was allegedly physically and mentally abusing her.

The dispute dates back to October 2012 when the 'Modern Family' actress moved out of her mother's house after these allegations of abuse surfaced, and began to live with her sister.

The following July (2013), a judge decided the young star should continue to stay under the temporary guardianship of Shanelle.

The Associated Press reports, Mrs Workman agreed to drop her attempts to gain full guardianship of Winter, if she would watch a video montage of family photos during court.

As the snaps of the teen's childhood were shown, she broke down in tears and dabbed her eyes with a tissues, but this last-ditch attempt to change Winter's mind did not work.

A Los Angeles judge gave full control over the 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman' voice actress's finances to her father, Glenn Workman, until she turns 18 in January 2016.

Winter has expressed great joy in living with her older sister, calling her ''the most amazing woman''.

MORE: Ariel Winter's Mother Must Return $4,000 

In May of 2013 she told People Magazine, "My sister is the most amazing woman I've ever met in my life. If I could be half the woman she is...she's kind of who I want to be like."

MORE: Ariel Winter won't forgive mother and brother 

"[Shanelle] supports me in everything I do, and so does my brother-in-law David," Winter continued. "Both are kind of like my biggest supporters...Our chemistry has been there since we first met, and it's really made us come off as a family on the show, and in real life, because we are."

Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter with her older sister, Shanelle Grey