Yesterday when I went to fill out paperwork for a home equity loan the lady asked if our dauther was the only dependent. Is the oc considered a dependent? I could not tell her about oc. The child support taken out of h checks is listed on his check stubs but she didnt ask. I am going to have to let him explain this if it comes up I just cant seem to do it. I dont think I ever will be able to deal with that part of this when it comes to things like this. Any information on this will help its really bugging me. with love flowerseed

I often wonder the same thing. I look forward to any info.

Dear flowerseed,<P>I'm not sure. It seems like sometimes the oc is considered a dependant and sometimes oc isn't. for example, I was able to put oc on my medical insurance at my one teaching job as my 'stepdaughter', which saved us some money because then h didn't have to pay for private insurance for her. But we can't claim her as a dependant on taxes or things like that. So maybe it depends on the circumstances.<BR>-cd

c.d.,<BR>They are using my credit his income I dont have any income right now he has no credit history. The mortgage and deed is in my name only. The lady did say something about figuring out something for him to sign to wave his rights so we dont have to put him on the deed. One good thing if he ever gets behind in support they cant touch this house but when we buy the property we are getting I think we need to think about the deed on that if he is on it. I would think the state could put a lean on it if he gets behind. I would think with it being his income they are using the child support will come up unless she just goes on the tax forms. I dont know what a pain in the butt this adds to everything. with love flowerseed <BR>

Dear flowerseed,<BR>We don't even have our house deeded in our names, primarily because we don't want to lose it to child support. my aunt and uncle, who lent us the money to get the house, are just as happy keeping it in their name until we have them paid back. Hopefully by then cs stuff won't be so bleak for us. until that time comes, we feel better not officially "owning" anything that the state could take away for child support. Youre absolutely right. it is a tremendous pain in the butt having to do things like this to protect ourselves from ow.<BR>-cd

I think tht the child can only be claimed as a actual dependant on your taxes if he lives in your house. I think there is something you can do on the tax form to help get back a bigger refund or to lower the amount you would owe, which ever the case may be.I know our accountant told us the oc could not be counted in the actual number you write on the tax form, as dependants, but I think she said there is something she can do with the cs on the tax form. I will let you know when I find out, she has out stuff now and we should be talking to her again soon. Gabi 1116

<BR>The default rule is that the custodial parent claims all tax benefits for the child. The substantial financial benefits of this are ignored in state guidelines, which is really unfair. Divorcing couples can agree to take turns claiming dependency for tax purposes, but right now, that is really a bargaining chip that women hold because of the knee-jerk custody awards in favor of women.<P>At a bank, things might be different. They may be interested in a financial dependence for estimating creditworthiness. This is conceptual distinct from the tax issues.<P>Bystander

Thanks,<BR>I am just going to let him worry about it. I dont want oc listed on anything to do with us it might sound terrible but thats how I feel. I had a hard enough time seeing the foc on his pay check each week. I pretend that stands for FAILURE OF COMMONSENCE. with love flowerseed

Flowerseed and Bystander,<BR>I found this info on internet yesterday about claiming oc.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.dadsusa.com/tax.htm" TARGET=_blank>www.dadsusa.com/tax.htm</A> <P>Hope it helps!<P>Debi<P>------------------<BR>Imagine....

Hey...the site probably listed the info I am about to give you, but to be honest I am too lazy to go check it out right now. I have prepared taxes for the past 2 years for a very reputable company. I can tell you (as far as taxes go anyways) that you can bet the ow will claim the child. A person can be claimed once as a dependent, once as an exemption, once for Earned Income Credit, and you can claim the amount you pay for daycare. It is possible to do one of these and not the rest.<BR>You claim the child as a dependent generally if they lived with you for 12 months or it is stated in a legal document somewhere. It will even work if there is an agreement between people. For instance if the ow is being "generous" one year and says you can claim the oc then that is perfectly fine with the IRS, as long as she doesnt go behind your back (and why would she do a thing like that?? )and file a grievence. <BR>If the child lives with you and you allow someone to claim the child as a dependent you can still use the child for EIC (earned income credit).<BR>Also if you directley pay the daycare for the child you can take the child and dependent care credit.<BR>Hope this helps.<BR>Sorry...I dont know about the banks, but my guess is if the irs doesnt see them as your dependent then why should anyone else....<BR>Love<BR>Broken_Wings<P>Ps...unfortunaltly there is nothing at all we can get for paying cs. Reason being bc the reciever doesnt have to report it as income and pay taxes on it....therefore we dont get a credit in paying it.

Since the OC lives with us, we claimed him on our taxes. Got back a bigger refund... The OW wouldnt think of claiming him on her taxes, or any of her kids for that matter. She doesnt have any of them living with her... aww<BR> <BR>Berta

Hey Roberta....just out of curiosity....does ow pay child support?