My wife and I have only been separated since the second week of November 2008. She has not worked in the past seven years of marriage. Since we have separated I have heard that she is currently looking for work and plans to claim herself as a dependent for 2008 even though she has not worked up until now. Can I claim her as a dependent because I have provided for her for 94% of the year even if she tries to claim herself? Would she even have the right to do so?

If she files her own tax return, then you CANNOT claim her exemption. Her personal exemption belongs to her as an irrevocable right, even though you have provided most of her support for the year.