My current husband and I file Married filing Jointly as this is where we get our biggest tax break. PLUS we know that BM isn't going to be taking him to court for more money. I can honestly say that because she is broke as a joke and can't afford an attorney. If she does...that's fine because she might find herself with a reduction instead but that's another story.

My ex and I always filed Married filing separately. We did this because he ex was forever taking him to court over something stupid. She never really got over him and decided to make his life a living hell to retaliate. (She called him on her wedding day to another man and told her that if he would take her back she wouldn't marry this man...ex told her to have a nice life)

If you think BM is going to be taking you back and forth to court then you may want to file separately. If he is behind on his child support you definitely need to file separately because she can take his entire federal return and if you file with him yours is gone too.

I hope I've helped you.

We have filed jointly over the last couple of years, which is what we will probably do this year. Our tax guy always runs the numbers to see what would be best for us.

If BM ever asked for our taxes then I would have all of my personal information blocked out when I had to hand over a copy. This is not BM's business. If BM wants my information then she will have to subpoena me and I don't see that happening.

Sometimes you have to test the limits to show you're not a doormat.

file separately. I don't want his X to know anything about me & if she takes him to court.....

I have EVERYTHING separate. I don't want anything to keep me with a man (oh, it is too hard to divorce) that hurts me. He hasn't yet, but I guess I don't trust anyone with my money. Isn't that awful? I wish I could trust completely, but I can't.