Legal Age to Move Out in North Carolina

My question involves emancipation laws for the State of: North Carolina
Hey, Im 17 and i want to move out. Im miserable at home. My mother made me move down here to NC almost 3 years ago and said she would move down here soon after. Well she never did and is now not planning on it. I live with my step-dad, my sister, her husband, their kid, my other sister, and her kid. Its really stressful because im a senior. Im taking AP and honors classes and also an early childhood education class to get my NC credential. Its to much for me and the stress is making me want to drop out. I plan on working with deaf children and starting my own day care one day and if i drop out that will never happen. I don't know what to do. I have a place to live where i would be supported and ive been applying for every job i can. Is it legal for me to just leave? Or do i still have to get emancipated?

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Quoting katlynncogley

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I plan on working with deaf children and starting my own day care one day and if i drop out that will never happen.

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Then don't drop out. It REALLY is that simple. If you're having issues dealing with "stress", then get some help developing healthy and productive coping methods. Start by talking to your counselor(s) at school. Or keep looking and get that job - at least it'll get you out of the house more.

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. Is it legal for me to just leave? Or do i still have to get emancipated?

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No, until you're 18, you're under the legal authority of your parent or guardian. You live where they say you live, or allow you to live. No court will emancipate a teen who is thinking of dropping out of school due to stress at 17 (alghouth it would give the judge a good laugh), and if you don't ALREADY have a job, that pays enough to cover ALL of your own expenses, including rent, utilitites, food, clothing, health insurance, transportation, WITHOUT assistance from anyone else (like living with somone), then emancipation isn't an option anyway.

If your parent/guardian ALLOWS you to live elsewhere, you can. If they don't, you're stuck until 18.