If you're looking at your yearly income or your pay stub and wondering how to adopt a baby on your income, please consider these alternatives for financial help.

Humanitarian organizations offer financial help and grants for prospective parents interested in overseas adoption. Some sources to check out on the web are: www.chinacare.org, for China adoptions; www.nefe.org, for the National Endowment for Financial Education; www.adoptionfinancing.com; and www.adoptionlearningpartners.org.

Tax Projections for Adopting a Baby

As you're doing the paperwork, working out how to adopt a baby according to your existing finances, ask an accountant or tax professional to make a projection for your finances using the Adoption Tax Credit. They will be able to show you a nuts-and-bolts financial projection of your next five years after adopting your baby. They will know exactly what deductions are allowed to make up your adoption tax credit, including court costs, adoption fees, attorney fees, all travelling expenses, including meals and lodging, and social worker fees. You qualify if your modified adjusted gross income is $150,000 or less. You can claim the full credit over multiple years and apply against tax liability over six years or when expenses reach the $10,000 cap. You'll find that adopting a baby is possible, financially, with the right know-how and professional assistance.