I actually was going to post today that I called DOR today, and got the answers I needed. That TIR (thanks, I saw that before) is very confusing; and appears to attempt to address too many different scenarios in a few short paragraphs, to the point where it didn't really address the particular issue I was trying to answer...I didn't think anyway. It addresses under age 13, over age 13, physically or mentally disabled, not disabled, over 65, etc. And of course refers you multiple code sections and more TIRs. I wish it were broken down better and rewritten! But thanks anyway.
The short official answer, what I was looking for is, that in general, if an ex spouse (non custodial parent) is taking the child on the federal return that year (and getting the federal child tax credit), then that's enough to get the credit on the Mass. return (in general). Nothing needs to be attached.
thanks anyway.
