We adopted a girl on 8 Dec 2016, paid $2561.00 in adoption expenses in 2015. Can I claim the $2561 in the 2016 return, and then claim the rest of my expenses (paid in 2016) on my 2017 return next year?

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

Already answered.  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3920953-i-adopted-a-girl-on-dec-8-2016-and-it-won-t-be-final-until...

Since the adoption is not final until 2017, you can claim 2015 expenses in 2016 (1 year late).  In 2017 (if the adoption becomes final on schedule) you will claim your 2016 and 2017 expenses.