Married Filing Joint to Single Status

Assuming that they lived together or part of 2023 n way can they filed as single. Their only choice for 2023 since they were legally mariied for that year is filing jointly which they have done or married filing separately.  Filing separateley  would most likely prove to be terrible.

I've worked with divorced couples.  It can work out just fine, as long as they aren't fighting over who claims dependents.  My experience has been both will return for first year or two then one usually decides to go elsewhere.  I make sure there is no chance of them being at my office on the same day.

Your guess is right, no magical way to transition the spouse to a new return.

I also wish there was a way to check a box on parent's return to create a return for a dependent.  Maybe after the form Ironman has been wishing for becomes available.

Divorces are good for business - you now have two returns instead of one.😉

The professional version has the ability to compare joint filing vs filing separately.  As part of that function you have the ability to split a joint return into two returns.

@GodFather There are flowcharts, etc in Quickfinder, Taxbook, etc for filing status and dependents. If they are amicable, then you may be able to prepare both. If they are not amicable, then you may want to consider not preparing one or both of their returns.

@dkh  - click "file" > split mfj return.

If you had the TSJ indicators on in the MFJ return, you could split it into 2 MFS returns and then change them to Single.  Moves the bulk over everything.