[PatientPersistence]

Hello,

I have just found this forum, and hope it will be a good one for information and if nothing else moral support and advise.

This past month(ish) I have begun the process (made contact) to adopt my very troubled, very young nieces newborn baby girl (I will call the baby "J" and my niece "JS"). J was removed from JS's custody at 4 days old (before she left the hospital) and went directly into foster care. Since then several unpleasant things have gone on with regards to JS and her mother, my ex-SIL, including threats towards me and other family members (and the social worker and the fp's ...). It is messy.

Anyways, I have added my name to the "interested in adopting J" list (so to speak) and the sw seemed to like who I was. I was also advised, and had been planning on, contacting an attorney. The sw made it out to be something that would be in my favor if I did this right off - which I will be doing ASAP. (It took a bit to actually contact the sw directly).

I am divorced (he was abusive); I have overwhelming support from family, friends and co-workers alike; I am squeaky clean regarding anything like drugs, drinking, parties, criminal records etc; I want this and have considered the possibility since learning she was pregnant; but my income is not as high as it could be, but I do live with a supportive family member and this situation is secure for minimum of 5 years, and also I have a business I have been working on that would allow me to work from home on the days I do not go out to my current job. Because of work schedules there'd not be need of daycare as either me or the fm I live with would be available to mind J, go to play groups, swimming, whatever.

I guess what I am mostly concerned with is the money issue. Would they, given this situation, see this as a bad option or because of the support and ability (on my behalf) to raise a child compensate for short-term financial restrictions? I make enough to support J in this living situation, just not many extras. With this business my income will at least triple, but it is not a proven business yet. I have owned small businesses before, they were different than what I will be doing now, but they were run well.

Any advise?

Oh, and I am in BC, Canada and this would be an inter-provincial family adoption.