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Vergara's victory

Sofia Vergara’s ex-fiance Nick Loeb ‘can’t use embryos without her consent,’ judge rules after years-long court battle

MODERN Family star Sofia Vergara has won a huge victory in her ex-fiancé Nick Loeb’s court case, with a judge ruling he “can’t use their embryos with her consent.”

The order hopefully brings an end to the years-long legal battle between the former couple, which began after their split in 2014. 

Sofia Vergara has scored a huge win in her legal battle against former lover Nick Loeb
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Sofia Vergara has scored a huge win in her legal battle against former lover Nick LoebCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Sofia has been fighting Nick's court case since the beginning
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Sofia has been fighting Nick's court case since the beginningCredit: Getty - Contributor

During their four year relationship, , 48, and Nick, 45, created and froze three embryos at a clinic in . 

After their relationship ended Loeb began legal proceedings to gain full access of the embryos meaning he could have them implanted in a surrogate mother and brought to full term.

The businessman has been fighting for sole custody of the embryos – even going so far as to give the fertilized eggs names in the lawsuit.

However, a contract they both signed in 2013 at the clinic prevents either party using the embryos without the consent of the other. 

Last month Nick lost an appeal in a Louisiana court that ruled the case should be tossed and that it made a “mockery of the legal system.” 

Sofia is married to actor Joe Manganiello
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Sofia is married to actor Joe ManganielloCredit: AP:Associated Press

Loeb had hoped that by bringing the fight from California, where the embryos are frozen — to Louisiana, the state would essentially recognize the embryos’ as people with rights. 

But the judge slammed Loeb’s filing in the state as “abhorrent,” and ruled that all documents in the case be unsealed.

Now he has lost again in LA with Sofia being granted a permanent injunction by a Superior Court judge which bans Loeb from bringing the embryos to term without his ex’s “explicit written consent.”

The actress - who starred as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC's  from 2009 until 2020 - is now married to husband .

Sofia and Joe, 44, got engaged on Day 2014 and were married in November 2015 in Palm Beach, .

She was previously married to her high school sweetheart Joe Gonzalez from 1991 until their divorce was finalized in 1993.

The exes share son Manolo, who was born in September 1992.

After starring on Modern Family for , Sofia quickly returned to the world on television when she was hired as 

Sofia has also appeared in a number of films, including The Smurfs, New Year's Eve, The Three Stooges, Machete Kills, Chef and Hot Pursuit.

The 48-year-old has one son from a previous relationship
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The 48-year-old has one son from a previous relationshipCredit: Instagram
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