<prompt> Human: My husband walked out late in 2015 and I have not seen or heard from him since. I was overwhelmed with the sudden change, finding a job I was a homemaker for 20 years, the fact that both of my children mid-20s were moving out of state, and just trying to make it day-by-day, and I was hoping that he would come back because of how unexpectedly he walked out, so I did not consider filing for at least legal separation. Now Im trying to file taxes for the first time ever, and I have no idea how to file. I tried to file married but separate, and just left his part blank because I have no idea if he even kept his job or if he went on one of the world tours he always dreamed of but never bothered actually planning for. I used TaxAct on my daughters recommendation, and checked the box that said Im a first time filerhave no 2015 tax info, but it just got rejected because that doesnt match last years information. I didnt file taxes last year, so I can only guess that he still did that at least. But now I have no idea what to do. The only instructions TaxAct gives is to change the AGI or use the PIN, but I have no way of getting either. Does anyone have any advice? Assistant: Youll need to mail in your taxes instead of efiling, since thats the whole reason they want a PIN. If TaxAct wont get you there, try a different software. IIRC, when I did my sisters taxes last year, I did them on TurboTax, but without her PIN, couldnt file. So I just printed out the filled forms, had her sign, and dropped it in the mail.Assuming youre not holding out hope, you need to file for divorce, if for no other reason than to get him out of your life and finances. Theres no such thing as legal separation in Texas at least there wasnt a few years ago, but your initial divorce filing serves the same purpose in showing that youre not together. If you cant afford a lawyer, you can file all on your own, and it its pretty cheap. I think it was less than 100, and your situation meets the requirements for the abandonment cause. Assuming you dont know where he is to have papers served, you can also petition the court to serve him by publications -- publishing in local newspapers. It takes longer, but it achieves the same result in the end. If he doesnt contest the divorce, judgement will be in your favor. As long as you two are still legally married, hes the one authorized to make decisions regarding your lifehealth if you are incapacitated, and he has a right to your money and property. You could also be on the hook for any of his liabilities, like if he doesnt pay taxes or gets sued.Human: admittedly, I am still holding out hope, though that may not last much longer. This was so uncharacteristic and sudden that I keep praying he shows up on my doorstep in need of help getting away from drugs or something equally stupid that pushed him to disappearing. Probably a ridiculous hope, but he was working with some pretty unsavory characters, so I wouldnt be surprised if he let himself get involved with them and thats where he is right now.  <response>: Please dont keep hoping. One day my mother came home from grocery store to find my fathers things gone. She had no idea anything was wrong. My father showed up a year later with a girlfriend he had been seeing for 10 years. She issued an ultimatum and my dad chose her. My mother had to maintain a mortgage and other bills she couldnt afford until she could file for divorce. My father had abandoned his car in a parking lot when he left and it got repossessed. On my moms credit report since in both names. Make a clean cut now to protect yourself. If he shows up, you can deal with it then. From a position of power, not vulnerability. Please. 