We are separated and for 6 months I paid child support and my wife's mortgage where I used to live with her and our two kids. Can I claim the $8,000 in mortgage as alimony? I know child support is not tax deductible but alimony is. She has no income to pay taxes on and is claiming one of our two kids. She has already filed separately and says it's illegal for me to claim her had a dependant.

1. Can I file paying her mortgage as alimony in my taxes?
2. Can I claim her as a dependant since she has no income or taxes to pay?

Thank you