I have questions regarding adoption? Can someone help me?

Question

We are adopting my fiancee's cousin's daughter who had her kids taken away in 2006 and I need information on the home study (is living in an apartment be ok?) and because we are not married is it ok? and there is so much. if you are willing to answer questions please respond!!!!

Answer 1

You'll have Social Services involved here.  A homestudy requires different criteria in different states, but most are about the same. Here is a portion of the list.

FBI fingerprinting

Criminal backround check

Full driving record

Full financial history

Full Physical, TB and HIV testing as well

Fire dept inspection of your home

Health and Human Services inspection of your home

4 letters of recommendation from non family members

An autobiography ( this can be one of the hardest things you'll do!)

and the list goes on

The homestudy can take up to 3 months to complete, so if you can, get started now.

As far as the apartment goes, I am sure if you are financially sound, and have a good "renters history" they may be ok with that. As far as you not being married, there may be questions there, and some issues you'll have to face, and they are looking for stability, and a couple who are married, and have been married for some time is more favorable.

Good luck, my sister in law and brother in law did the same thing with my nephew.  He is in a much better place, but it was a difficult process for all parties involved. Stay the course, focus on the positive.

Answer 2

most, if not all states say that a child has to be in foster care for 15 out of 22 months before the state will even begin to consider terminating parental rights.  And I do believe you other answer was correct in that in an unmarried case...only one can adopt and the other would have to wait till you were married. Living in an apartment isn't a problem as long as you have room for a child.  Look up adoption in your state. Most states have web sites that give all the requirements.

Answer 3

I am a foster parent and I have had to do a home study.  I am answering from the polar opposite side of the situation since we are trying to adopt a foster child and we DONT want any family to come forward (and so far they havent) Thank God!!!  But I can tell you what I dont want to happen in my case because it would mean what you do want to happen in yours. They are very perticular.  However, you are family and family is always considered first.  If you truely want this child, you need to express that to the caseworkers.  They need to know how serious you are about this kid.  If you dink around and seem wishy washy, your chances are smaller.  They look over the whole situation.  It is fine if you live in an apartment.  As long as you have adequate living space for the child.  In my state it is 80square feet for the room and 40sq feet per child so basically you have to give her atleast an 8x10 room and no more than 2 kids in it which is actually really small.  I have 2 bedrooms that are 10x12 and we can have 3 in each and I have no idea how I would even fit 2 beds in there.  Anyways, atleast from what I have learned, you can adopt a child while being single.  You would be involved (like criminal history ect...) in the home study because you live there and anyone over 14 I believe has to have a criminal history back ground check done.  (my brother had to go through all this because he lived with us but I wasnt married to him)  You will have to be found safe for the child to live with but I dont think YOU will be able to adopt her.  Your fiance would have to adopt her as a single parent (which doesnt affect your chances of getting a child) and then when you get married, you will be put on the adoption certificate as the father.  They are going to make sure you are financially able to care for the child also.  For the homestudy, they asked many questions from how long we have lived there and if we liked it and how much money we make all the way up to how many times a week we have s*x and if we consider ourselves happy with our s*x life and if we have ever seen a psychiatrist or if we have ourselves been foster care which can be hard to answer but they are evaluating your character and your state of mind.  As someone who is in a family (and my husband too who was in foster care as a child) that has had to see counselors and had addictions, I will tell you that HONESTY is key with them.  They have ways of finding things out.  Very few peoples past is blemish free so just tell the truth when they ask you sensitive questions.  It will pay off.  Also, I dont think you can have any felonies on your record.  I sure hope this has helped you guys out.  I commend you for wanting to take this child in and give her a loving home.  I will pray it comes true for all of you.  Good Luck and God Bless :)

Answer 4

It's different in every state and even the social workers will have some opinions occasionally that will affect the outcome of the homestudy but basically the homestudy is going to check to see if your home is clean and safe.  Depending on the age of the child it will need a room of it's own and you'll have to have a plan for daycare if you work or school and after school care.  They'll check your finances and ask for references.  They'll need your fingerprints and will check for criminal background.  They may ask about your religious affiliation and s*x life as well as your plan for discipline.

In some places being unmarried may mean that only your fiancee can adopt at this time and you'll need to hire a lawyer and adopt separately after you're married but it shouldn't be a problem for the homestudy.

Answer 5

when adopting family it is not as hard. just make sure the home is child safe. plug all electric outlets. kinda as if your opening a child car. As long as you and your partner have a clean back ground then your safe

Answer 6

living in an apartment is absolutely fine. i think the issue of living together with a man and not being married will depend on the state. it may be possible for one of you to adopt the child and the other not. i would call a good adoption lawyer and find out what the laws are regarding this issue in your state because they vary a lot from state to state. is this child in foster care now? have the mother's rights already been terminated? those factors may play into it as well and be in your favor if the state is looking for a home for this child and you already know the child and are willing to adopt her. it's not an easy process but, i wish you luck and it is a wonderful thing that you are trying to do. don't give up good luck!