What is that called when...?

Question

...you become an adult at 17. Is it even 17? Anyways, like you take your parents to court and you pretty much have the rights of an 18 year old?

Does anyone know what I am talking about and if so if you know anything about it please post everything you know.

I am interested. Long [life] story no need to post my life on yahoo answers! I don't mind opening up to people but 1,000 characters isn't much to work with!

Answer 1

Emancipation - when you are declared an adult, in charge of your own life, finances, etc. That means you have to be able to take responsibility for all of the things you are likely to need - housing, finishing schooling, an income.
This usually requires going to court, and proving that there would be benefit in declaring you "emancipated". You must have a lawyer talking for you, but there may be a free service available to pay for that. The judge would listen to both sides - yours and your parents/guardians, and make a judgment based on that.