a brief introduction to the home-study phase of adoption
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A Brief Introduction to the Home-Study Phase of AdoptionGregory A Franklin
A Brief Introduction to the Home-Study Phase of Adoption
Rochester, New York-based lawyer Gregory A. Franklin currently is a partner in Ashcraft Franklin Young & Peters, LLP. Gregory A. Franklin is also a fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.
A Brief Introduction to the Home-Study Phase of Adoption
The adoption process in the United States involves a number of complex legal phases that often require the assistance of an experienced adoption attorney. After conducting general research about adoption and various adoption agencies, individuals will officially begin the process of adoption by entering into a home-study with their chosen agency.
A Brief Introduction to the Home-Study Phase of Adoption
While home-study practices, like many aspects of adoption, can vary state to state, the home-study essentially serves as the agency's first screening test and involves gathering a number of pertinent documents from potential adoptive parents. These documents include the birth certificates of all adopting parents, a marriage license, numerous personal references, child abuse clearances and criminal background checks. As the name implies, home-study also involves the social worker making a minimum of one visit to the potential parent's home. All members of the home are expected to attend this part of the home-study, though it is not technically an official home inspection. Findings made during home-study will be used throughout the remainder of the adoption process and may be reviewed in a judge's chambers during the final phases of adoption.