Who, what, where and when to file US taxes from the UK

Married in March in the US, came to the UK with my kids in May. DH has never lived over there with me, nor has he ever had any earnings in the US. I have to file, due to my severance, 401k and unemployment benefits. I'm not sure how to proceed or even which tax program will work for me in the following circumstance...

I have 3 children, and generally file HOH. Do I have to claim DH on my taxes? If I do claim DH, then I would have to file MFJ and include his UK income? Or would I have to file MFS? I have read posts back from 2007 tax season and didn't find anything quite like my issue. Because I didn't work the full year, I should for the first time in many years be able to apply for EIC, which is greatly needed due to the taxes I'll have to pay for the 401k and unemployment...just to not have to pay in. If I file married filing seperately, I won't be eligible for EIC. What I would hope to do is file HOH and if there is somewhere on the form asking for spousal info, I'd like to put him down as a NRA. Is this possible?

To be honest, I'm not even sure how to file... do I simply get all of my tax documents and file the 1040 as I always have? I have not worked at all since we've been in the UK, so I don't think there is any reason for me to file UK taxes...and we have already begun looking into his taxes which could be nearly as much fun.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks ever so much...

Wow - great questions!

You are now married so could elect to file jointly if your husband wants to report his worldwide income to the US.

If he does not you can file HOH if you still qualify, but do you still pay at least 50% of the cost of the household?

EIC is out of the window sadly as it is only available if you lived in the US.  You can still qualify for the refundable child tax credits in the States in the right circumstances -probably not this year as you did not work - and one of the two of you should have claimed child benefit over here.

Thanks guya...appreciate the information.

I'm not sure that I understand the EIC thing, would it have mattered if I had lived in the US for more then six months of the year? What guidelines would I have to have met for the child tax credit in the US? I have read the forms, and don't see anything that would exclude me. My DH will not claim us on his UK taxes, as we would benefit greater if I can knock my tax bill down. I worked technically until Jan 11, 2008, but again was on severance, so I was on the payroll until March...is severance pay not considered earned income?

As for HOH, I paid 100% of the household expenses until May, and 50% here until about August when my savings ran out. Do you know of a tax program that will work with these circumstances by chance? I'm afraid that claiming my DH's income will put us into a crazy old tax bracket, in which I'll have to pay in more then if I file on my own. Also, if I did file MFJ, would DH still be able to file taxes here in the UK?

Sorry if I sound all confused, but I really am! 

Thanks again!