I want to claim ctc, i have a state debt that is about to be filed for garnishment My wife has a state debt that is 8000 and not yet. How should we file to get all it ?

I have state debt that i got notice will be levied this month. And my wife has one for alot more that isnt as old and we dont know if should file seperate and I claim ctc since smaller debt or should she since hers isnt formally levied yet.  And can we file seperate with one claiming credits if we live together. Just dont want to lose 8k dollars from credits.