A young lady I know is pregnant and doesn't want to keep her child. She has other children that she is having difficulties taking care of at this time. I would like to take this child and raise it as my own, however I am extremely concerned about the financial aspect of this. Is it possible to receive financial support from governmental agencies (not welfare) for this child, similar to foster care? I want the child I just think I might need a bit of help. I am working class, live in Chicago, IL. What do I need to do? How should I proceed. This baby will be born VERY soon and I need to act quickly.

You need to consult with an Attorney to make the "transaction" legal.

You all (mother, child, yourself) need to be certain that the adoption (if that is what you are considering) is legal. If the child goes into the foster care system you might be able to receive assistance, but there is absolutely no guarantee custody would be awarded to you.

Or are you talking about getting guardianship of the child (which can be revoked by the mother in the future).

I am concerned that you are considering adopting a child you know you cannot afford.

You can APPLY to foster the child--but please know that you will have to give the child up when adoptive parents are found or when the mother wants the child back.

If you want to have PERMANENT LEGAL custody of the child, that's called "adoption", and you PAY to adopt--you don't GET paid to raise someone else's child.

I think you would be better off counseling this mother to talk to a social services agency to see if she can get help, but if she truly does not want the child then the best thing is for her to choose financially sound parents to adopt the child permanently.

I am a single woman without any children. I have always wanted children but never had one of my own. I own my own home, I have worked at the same job for over 17 year and have a health/ dental care. I am not on welfare and have and never will be. I am concerned about financially raising a child because I know it is expensive. I want the child to have a better quality of life with me than she would have with the birth mother. The birth mother doesn't want to raise an additional child and is struggling. Thank you for you reply in this matter.

Thank you for you reply in this matter.