We acquired Guardenship of our handicaped grandaughter through the courts, we are the legal guardians. While trying to do my taxes I find I cannot list her as a dependent, but, I do get a ?1000. Child tax credit. Anybody understand this? Thanks

I moved this to taxes for better answers

To get the Child Tax Credit, your granddaughter must have lived with you for MORE than half of 2008, be under the age of 17, be a U.S. citizen and NOT provide more than half of their own support.

Meet this criteria, and you can claim her. Since she is NOT your dependent, you will need to file Form 8901 with Form 1040.