Ariel Winter Custody Case Headed for Trial




03/29/2013 at 04:10 PM EDT




Ariel Winter Custody Case; Modern Family Star in Court


Ariel Winter and mom Chris Workman


Splash News Online



Her family life on TV may be a comedy, but in real life it's still, sadly, a drama.

Modern Family star Ariel Winter's guardianship case is headed for trial in October to determine if her mom, Chrisoula Workman, should regain custody of the teen.


"It's a work in progress," Winter's attorney told L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas on Friday regarding the family's court-ordered therapy sessions. "There's been no advancement in terms of reunification."


The actress, 15, has been in the care of her older sister Shanelle Gray, 34, following Winter's abuse allegations in October against her mother.


An attorney for Workman protested in court Friday that no visitation has occurred yet between mother and daughter, alleging that Ariel is refusing to meet with her mom in therapy.


"I love my daughter and I just want our family to be back together," Workman previously told PEOPLE. She is currently banned from communicating with her daughter directly, and plans to bring a dozen witnesses at trial – including Winter's brother, doctor, tutor, stylist and a producer from the TV show, among others – to testify that she's a fit parent.


Judge Levanas said he didn't want to "micromanage" the family's counseling, saying it was up to their therapist "who knows how to put families back together" to determine the speed of their sessions.


Outside the courtroom, Gray's attorney Mike Kretzmer, said that Winter is doing well in her sister's care.


"We're still hopeful that everyone can come together in agreement," Kretzmer told PEOPLE, adding that Gray is willing to care for Winter as long as it takes. "This family has a lot to work through."






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