Legal Question in Family Law in California

No, it's not legal for her to do that - - for now.

As for emanicpation, if you don't have a job you won't be able to show the independent means of support to become emanicpated. Five months feels like forever when you're 17, but trust me, it's a blink of the eye in your life.

If your relationship with your mom is that bad off, your best bet is to make as much peace as you can while using these five months to prepare to be an independent adult. Because once you are 18 she really could charge you rent or kick you out (subject to some limitations if you are still in high school, etc.).

But the bottom line is if you and she can't get along, you soon will have to be out on your own. So you need to either fix that relationship or be prepared to be out on your own, starting with a job.

Trust me that I know what I'm talking about, by the way. When I turned 18 and graduated from high school my dad and I had a big fight a few weeks later and he told me to get out. I was totally unprepared and had a real struggle, staying with friends and working part time, until I got into college and had scholarships, and a dorm to live in. Good thing I had good grades.

Fortunately I got my act together and finished college and law school and got on with my life. Even have a good relationship with my dad now. But my life would have been a whole lot better if I had just put up with my parents and focused on being ready to be on my own for the year or so before I turned 18.