Can my wife's parents claim her as a dependent?

[ndhp123]

My wife and I Have been married since november 05, and she has lived with me since April 05. Her parents have told her that they plan to claim her on their taxes because they will owe the Irs even more money if they dont. I don't really have a problem with that, but there is legal issues here. Number one on all of my tax forms at work state that I am now married. Number two when I file my taxes, and it asks whether or not I am single, married, and etc. I am going to put married because well I am. Number 3 she is 19 and not in school. I don't mind them claming her, but I don't want this to turn into some legal issues.

Thank You,

Nick

[Dad2]

Dude, they can't claim their daughter,lol
She lived with you for 9 months of the year.
I don't know what your relationship is with their parents, but if I were you, you can bet I'd be wheeling and dealing with them.
If they want to claim her, it'll cost them something.
You will have to claim married, filing seperate, in order for them to claim her. Even then, i'm not so sure how legal this is, seeing as how she lived with you for more than 9 months of the year. Now that I typed that out loud, im gunna stick to my guns, and say that the can NOT claim her.That makes a HUGE difference in your refund. If you make 40,000k a year, I'd be willing to bet your refund will go from $2,500 to $500.
If the parents have a problem with that, oh well. Thats their problem man. Relying on their daughter for 19 years because of the tax benefeit is enough. They need to plan better.