Kids

Ariel Winter's sister may have declared bankruptcy more than a decade ago, but her fortunes have changed dramatically ... as in there is no way in the world she needs Ariel's money ... TMZ has learned.

Shanelle Gray is married to David Barry Gray ... who is an heir to the Pepsi fortune. His grandfather was one of the founding members of Pepsi Cola.

David's grandfather, Philip Rubenstein, owned 23 of the original Pepsi plants and, with the help of a guy named Al Steele, took the company nationwide. Rubenstein served as the President of Pepsi Cola in the 1950s and amassed a fortune.

As for what happens to the untold millions of dollars ... Rubenstein died in 1997 and was survived by his wife, 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren, one of whom is David. Rubenstein's wife died in 1998. Short story -- David -- an actor who played the role of Todd Palin in the Emmy-winning HBO movie "Game Change" -- is in line to inherit a big chunk of the family money.

Family dough aside, Shanelle and David are doing well with their 2 acting businesses -- Gray Studios in L.A. and Gray Studios in Orange County. The business is so successful, it's expanding to NYC next year.

And Shanelle -- who gave up a fairly successful acting career to raise their 2 daughters -- is now back in the acting game and getting gigs.

Eli and Peyton Manning's mother will only visit one of her famous sons on turkey day -- and, as far as we're concerned there's only ONE way to choose ... scoooorebooooard!!

Olivia Manning is in a serious jam ... she has two really famous and successful kids ... each living in different parts of the country ... but she can only spend Thanksgiving with one!!!!!

So ... Who. Does. She. Choose?!?!?!!?

Don't worry ... Mrs. Manning doesn't wuss out -- she actually gives an answer.

Shanelle Gray filed for full-blown bankruptcy back in 2000, with assets totaling a measly $385 and debts totaling $42,561.89. At the time of the filing, Shanelle declared a grand total of $10 cash and $75 in her checking account. As for her other worldly possessions, she listed a bed, dresses, an alarm clock and a radio, and that's it.

Fast forward to last month, when Ariel's mom, Chrystal Workman, argued in court Shanelle was an unfit guardian because she allegedly has a motive to get her hands on Ariel's money. When the court appointed Shanelle temporary guardian, however, she specifically did NOT ask for control of or access to Ariel's finances.

As for what Shanelle's doing these days ... she owns an actor's studio in L.A. It's unclear how well she's doing, but it's safe to say she's not raking in the $75k per week Ariel makes on "Modern Family."

Meanwhile, Ariel's mother Chrystal left court today feeling desperate in the wake of a blistering report by the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services -- which found Chrystal had emotionally abused her daughter.

Chrystal -- whom the DCFS has recommended be permanently stripped of custody -- told us, "I just want to see my daughter. I love her very much." '

Ariel's dad Glenn Workman -- who has volunteered to take custody of Ariel instead of her older sister -- was also in court today, but he wasn't too talkative on the way out.

A stunning development in the Ariel Winter case -- the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services has issued a blistering report against the "Modern Family" star's mom, saying the judge should strip her of custody and award a permanent guardianship to Ariel's older sister.

The DCFS report concludes Chrystal Workman, Ariel's mom, committed emotional abuse against her 14-year-old daughter. As for the physical abuse claim, DCFS said the evidence is "inconclusive."

DCFS feels the situation is so dire, it planned to go to Dependency Court to make Ariel a ward of the state. However, DCFS officials decided to give the judge in the current case a chance to award Ariel's sister, Shanelle Gray, a permanent guardianship.

Chrystal's lawyer suggested Shanelle had ulterior motives -- i.e., a money grab -- but the judge shut that argument down.

At one point during the hearing, Shanelle's lawyer told the court ... she wants Ariel and her parents to begin family therapy sessions as soon as possible.

The report also says Ariel is articulate and has credibility and that weighed in the conclusions.

Ariel Winter's brother was singing a different tune outside court this morning -- claiming his little sister belongs in the custody and care of their father ... and NOT with their mother.

Ariel's bro Jimmy Workman had previously submitted a declaration in support of his mother Chrystal Workman in her custody battle over the 14-year-old actress --denying allegations his mother physically and emotionally abused Ariel.

But outside court today, Jimmy said, "Hopefully my father gets custody of my sister, which it should be."

Meanwhile, Ariel's dad Glenn Workman filed his own declaration in the case, writing, "I am physically, emotionally, and financially capable of caring for my daughter, without limitation."

12:11 PM PST: The judge just recessed for lunch to read the DCFS reports. Back at 1:30

11:08 AM PST: The judge said he just received mutiple reports from the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services and is now reading them.

Ariel Winter will not be in court for the hearing which could determine if her sister gets a formal guardianship.

Ariel's sister, Shanelle Gray, will also be absent and that strongly suggests the court will not conduct a full-blown hearing today. The likely reason -- the judge is about to call the case, and as of now the report from the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services has not been filed with the court. The DCFS report is vital to the decision.

Ariel Winter's dad just filed a stunning objection to the guardianship of his daughter Ariel, calling her "My Retirement Surprise Child."

Glenn Workman says in his declaration, "I am physically, emotionally, and financially capable of caring for my daughter, without limitation. No evidence has been produced that suggests any detriment to Ariel associated with my father-daughter relationship with her."

Glenn, who does not want daughter Shanelle to be Ariel's guardian, says, "I am a frugal and modest person with a moderate income who doesn't need Ariel's income to survive."

Glenn says he has a great relationship with Ariel, adding "We enjoy going on long walks together ... and I love to listen to her talk to me ... I find her to be very interesting."

Glenn also says, "I believe Ariel has demonstrated a lot of maturity and is at an age now that she should have more control over her finances."

Glenn never addresses allegations that his wife Chrystal physically and emotionally abused Ariel, except to say their relationship is strained.

Ariel Winter's brother filed court docs in the guardianship case in which he says he's not taking sides ... and then goes on to squarely take sides.

Jimmy Workman, an actor who famously appeared as Pugsley in "The Addams Family," says in his declaration -- obtained by TMZ -- he "NEVER" saw any physical or emotional abuse by his mother against Ariel. He concedes he saw "normal mother and daughter arguments and banter back and forth but nothing more."

Jimmy says the conflicts worsened when Ariel allegedly refused to break up with her boyfriend.

And then Jimmy says, "My position is not to take sides with anyone, but to get this family back to where it belongs." But the next sentence -- "I as well believe that Shanelle Gray is not the right person to have custody of my younger sister Ariel."

Kid Cudi's waving the white flag in his bitter custody dispute with his baby mama -- agreeing to let his baby mama take full custody of their daughter ... TMZ has learned.

The custody war has been quietly raging on for over a year -- with Cudi and his baby mama arguing back and forth over who should get full custody.

Cudi said he got a place in Chicago just to be close to his daughter and her mother -- and provided his daughter with generous support -- but his baby mom said that was BS, insisting Cudi was provided "sporadic and inconsistent amounts" of support ... and was an absentee dad.

In court docs, she also claimed Cudi has violent tendencies and a "long history of consistent drug and alcohol abuse."

The two parties finally agreed to disagree on August 3rd -- and Cudi let his baby mama take full custody.

In return, she agreed to let him have visitation. Cudi will also pay child support.

Ariel Winter was out and about Sunday doing TOTALLY NORMAL 14-YEAR-OLD-GIRL STUFF... like chowing down on a snow cone -- days before her guardianship hearing.

Ariel and her older sister Shanelle Gray -- a.k.a Ariel's temporary guardian -- hit up the Farmer's Market in Studio City ... and smiled like two people who are really, really happy.

As TMZ previously reported ... the "Modern Family" star is the middle of a nasty court battle with her mother Chrystal Workman over guardianship ... after Ariel claimed she was physically and verbally abused. Ariel's mom has denied the allegations.

Baby-mama drama must run in the family ... Akon's lil bro Abou Thiam -- a huge record exec -- is asking a judge to shoot down his baby mama's demand for more cash ... despite his fat bank account.

According to legal docs filed in Georgia ... Abou agreed to shell out $3,000 / month in child support to a woman named Ariel Hakim back in 2010. The pair has one daughter together.

But Ariel recently filed new docs, asking the court to up Abou's monthly payment -- claiming their kid costs more money now and not only that, she says Abou's income has increased dramatically.

FYI -- Abou is the VP of Def Jam Records and in docs filed in 2010 he listed his income as more than $38,000 PER MONTH.

Abou fired back at Ariel's request on Nov. 8 -- and asked the court to LOWER his monthly payments, despite the fact that he's pulling in more dough (as admitted in docs).

Abou makes the argument ... Ariel moved their daughter from Georgia to Florida without giving him the proper 30-day notice -- which he claims violates his visitation rights and creates a greater financial burden, due to the travel costs.

He's asking the judge to deny Ariel's request and hold her in contempt of court.

As quickly as Selena Gomez blocked Justin Bieber from her life via her telephone and whatnot, they hooked up again ... capping off a 24-hour rendezvous at a swanky Beverly Hills hotel.

TMZ has learned ... Bieber had a driver take him to LAX Wednesday night, where they picked up Selena ... and rolled over to her home. We're told Bieber spent the night at SG's place.

The next morning, the two hitched a ride to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills ... but entered the building at separate times, presumably so no one would snap a shot of them together.

THE DNA TEST IS IN -- Michael Lohan fathered an illegitimate lovechild back in 1995 behind Dina Lohan's back ... and Michael's reaction to the shocking paternity reveal was all caught on tape.

Michael agreed to submit to a DNA test for an episode of "Trisha Goddard" -- where he comes face-to-face for the first time with the 17-year-old girl who claimed to be his daughter -- and the results came back POSITIVE.

The girl's mother -- Kristi Horn -- has claimed Michael was the father for years, and has even tried multiple times to get him to pay child support ... but Michael adamantly denied the allegations.

The reveal -- which airs tonight -- is cringeworthy ... Michael can't believe the news ... and the girl's mother immediately bursts into tears.

After, Michael gets up to hug his newfound daughter (Ashley) and she resists, shouting, "No! No! No!" while Michael pleads, "I just want to hug you."

FYI ... Michael's two youngest children with Dina -- Ali and Cody -- were born in 1993 and 1996 respectively. Which means Ashley was conceived somewhere in the middle.

Ariel Winter stared down a crazed stage mother last night ... a woman hell bent on giving her daughter a competitive edge -- but it wasn't real life, it was the storyline on "Modern Family" ... wonder where they could've found inspiration for THAT plot line???

The episode -- which was most likely written and taped months ago -- featured Julie Bowen's character confronting the judges at an academic challenge after her daughter Alex (Ariel Winter) got eliminated.

An embarrassed Alex sees the confrontation and immediately tries to stop her mom -- "You're just mad because now you can't parade me around like some show pony!"

It all seemed eerily familiar to the non-fictional mother-daughter drama that's erupted between Ariel and Chrystal Workman behind the scenes.

As we reported, Chrystal has developed a reputation as a terror on the set ... in fact, sources say producers have blocked her from various places on the set, including hair and makeup.

Ariel is currently in the temporary guardianship of her older sister Shanelle -- but Ariel's former babysitter and her mom's cousin have both filed declarations supporting the return of Ariel to Chrystal's care.

The babysitter writes, "As a former licensed in-home daycare provider trained to recognize abuse, I saw no signs nor did I witness abuse of any kind (sexual, physical, or emotional) against Ariel."

Meanwhile, Chrystal's cousin calls Chrystal "a morally sound, extremely loving and protective parent."

The cousin writes, "It is without doubt that Ariel is thinking evidently of her age, without understanding the severity of her actions ... Still early in these teenage development years, Ariel must have limits that only a parent can determine" -- a thinly-veiled reference to Ariel's alleged tryst with an 18-year-old boy.

For Ariel's part -- her friends insist she isn't lying about the abuse ... and multiple sources say Chrystal is an overbearing stage mom whom "Modern Family" producers wanted to ban from the set.