@VolvoGirl I see your point; however, there is also the requirement that she provide for more than 50% of the household expenses. She states she is living with family members to save money, so I find that possible but unlikely.
When married, in order to file HOH, these requirements must be met:
1) file separate from spouse
2) pay more than half the household expenses.
3) live apart from the spouse for the last 6 months of the year.
4) she claims the children (or at least one of them in this case)
5) her home is the main home for the claimed children for more than half the year.
