So I have a doozy of a question on this. My ex and I are legally separated as of October 29th 2020. So we are both classified as "single" for HOH rules. Her and my stepson moved out on August 22, 2020. She bought a new home and moved in on October 1st, 2020. Her son lived with me and her for ~8 months, but her only for 3 months. I paid all the household costs for the first 8 months we lived together, she paid all the household costs for 3 months in her new home. I agree she is the custodial parent, but did not meet the 6 month requirement for support, I did. I also spent the most on the stepchild living expenses as he didn't work and was a 22 year old college student. So we are legally separated, I paid for the household for 8 months, and my stepson lived with me (and her) for that 8 month period. My AGI is nearly double hers as well. Who files HOH and remember the 50% support for 6 months? I met that, she only had 3 months. I guess the real question is what constitutes a "home" and since 6 months matter for the dependent it should matter for the "home" as well. To me that is where the most nights are spent, which again would be my home. I get so many conflicting stories from CPA's on this. One says we both can, one says she can as the custodial parent, and one says I can and she cannot. So which is it?
