I know a person under 18 can not sign a contract, so does that mean...?

Any contract you sign with a landlord is voidable, which means either you or the landlord can void it if you want to b/c you could not legally enter into a contract b/c you are under age. I am assuming that you are at least 16 b/c you said you have a job. I don't know that getting legally emancipated is worth it but some options might be 1) finding a roomate who is over 18 to sign the lease w/ you or for you and then you would be on the hook for the rent but remember it's not just rent expenses you have to worry about - think food, electric, cable, phone, down payments, etc and a roommate is probably the way to go. Another option might be to see if one of your relatives or one of your friends folks would let you live w/ them and pay some rent and do chores in lieu of paying all your expenses. Also, could you go live at a live in school. They have them in most counties for kids whose parents are alcoholics, abusive, etc. and that might be an option. A school counselor or someone at a county agency should be able to help you explore those options. Hope that helps.

It depends upon where you live on whether or not you can legally move out yet. In most states you have to be 18, but in some states you only have to be 17. If you are younger than that you would have to attempt an emancipation which is to petition the court to say you are a legal adult for the most part. Someone else would have to sign your apartment lease, because you have to be 18 to enter the lease. The lease is a contract.

You can become an emancipated youth. Do a search, you should be able to find a lot of info on it. Good luck