undergraduate daughter got married, getting dissolution, what next?

[AmericanWoman71]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My daughter (an 18 year old undergraduate) informed me last week she got married. She is filing a summary dissolution this week (they both realized how stupid it was) but now I am left with a few questions as the mom who claims her on taxes and fills out her FASFA... Can I still claim her on my taxes next year if I wait to file after her dissolution is finalized or can I still go ahead and claim her as a dependent before it is finalized? I'm also really worried about her student aid, but if I can wait and file my taxes when she is not married, and the dissolution makes it like it never occurred in the first place, then I am guessing she won't lose her dependent status...but I'm still terrified that this will seriously harm her educational funding. Any ideas? I mean, do I need a tax attorney or do I need a family attorney?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Artemis_ofthe_Hunt]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My daughter (an 18 year old undergraduate) informed me last week she got married. She is filing a summary dissolution this week (they both realized how stupid it was) but now I am left with a few questions as the mom who claims her on taxes and fills out her FASFA... Can I still claim her on my taxes next year if I wait to file after her dissolution is finalized or can I still go ahead and claim her as a dependent before it is finalized? I'm also really worried about her student aid, but if I can wait and file my taxes when she is not married, and the dissolution makes it like it never occurred in the first place, then I am guessing she won't lose her dependent status...but I'm still terrified that this will seriously harm her educational funding. Any ideas? I mean, do I need a tax attorney or do I need a family attorney?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

gonna leave this hot mess to Ld....she's our resident expert on tax law (and other subjects)

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My daughter (an 18 year old undergraduate) informed me last week she got married. She is filing a summary dissolution this week (they both realized how stupid it was) but now I am left with a few questions as the mom who claims her on taxes and fills out her FASFA... Can I still claim her on my taxes next year if I wait to file after her dissolution is finalized or can I still go ahead and claim her as a dependent before it is finalized? I'm also really worried about her student aid, but if I can wait and file my taxes when she is not married, and the dissolution makes it like it never occurred in the first place, then I am guessing she won't lose her dependent status...but I'm still terrified that this will seriously harm her educational funding. Any ideas? I mean, do I need a tax attorney or do I need a family attorney?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Dissolution=Divorce. It doesn't "make it like it never happened"

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My daughter (an 18 year old undergraduate) informed me last week she got married. She is filing a summary dissolution this week (they both realized how stupid it was) but now I am left with a few questions as the mom who claims her on taxes and fills out her FASFA... Can I still claim her on my taxes next year if I wait to file after her dissolution is finalized or can I still go ahead and claim her as a dependent before it is finalized? I'm also really worried about her student aid, but if I can wait and file my taxes when she is not married, and the dissolution makes it like it never occurred in the first place, then I am guessing she won't lose her dependent status...but I'm still terrified that this will seriously harm her educational funding. Any ideas? I mean, do I need a tax attorney or do I need a family attorney?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

LD can answer the tax issues however I will state this -- if she is not officially FINALLY divorced by December 31, she will be considered married for the year and you will not be able to claim her as a single dependent because she is married. YOU do NOT need a family attorney.

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My daughter (an 18 year old undergraduate) informed me last week she got married. She is filing a summary dissolution this week (they both realized how stupid it was) but now I am left with a few questions as the mom who claims her on taxes and fills out her FASFA... Can I still claim her on my taxes next year if I wait to file after her dissolution is finalized or can I still go ahead and claim her as a dependent before it is finalized? I'm also really worried about her student aid, but if I can wait and file my taxes when she is not married, and the dissolution makes it like it never occurred in the first place, then I am guessing she won't lose her dependent status...but I'm still terrified that this will seriously harm her educational funding. Any ideas? I mean, do I need a tax attorney or do I need a family attorney?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

You are ok on the taxes as long as she does not file a joint return with her soon to be ex husband. You don't have to wait to file your tax return. You are allowed to claim a married child as your dependent in circumstances like this one. If they stayed married, and her husband earned enough to actually have any tax liability, and they filed a joint return, you would not be able to claim her.

I am not sure however, about her financial aid. I know that marriage emancipates her from needing your participation in the FASFA process, and switches it to needing her husband's participation instead, but I don't know if getting immediately divorced leaves her emancipated from needing your participation or if it puts her back to needing your participation.

 

[vijendrasnv]

Hi,

Just consult with some good divorce lawyer,he/she will concludes with a good solution for you.
I can' suggest anything about your issues between your daughter and her ex husband.

Thanks.

 

[LdiJ]

LD can answer the tax issues however I will state this -- if she is not officially FINALLY divorced by December 31, she will be considered married for the year and you will not be able to claim her as a single dependent because she is married. YOU do NOT need a family attorney.

Sorry, but that is not correct. A married child can be claimed as an exemption/dependent as long as the other normal tests are met, and as long as they do not file a joint return with their spouse, unless its a joint return only to receive their withholding back.

Its not an issue that arises very often, so its not well known.