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Originally Posted By Michelle

My husband and I have been on an adoption fast track since early March when his (distant) cousin asked us to adopt her child. We have attorneys and will proceed with an open independent adoption. Problem, we need a homestudy completed and the costs are alarming. We were unprepared for the enormous costs of adoption and thought the process would be more simple than most have encountered because of the relation in the family.

I don't understand this whole process. The state of Missouri requires a homestudy to finalize an adoption but the state agencies won't provide the service (even at a fee) unless I adopt from their agency, then the service is free!

2-part question...If I pay someone $1500 to complete a homestudy (even though the child is living in my home) and this person decides we are not approved (which is the whole point) do I get my money back or at least part of it?

I would like to find someone who can complete a homstudy in Missouri for under $1000.

Please email me at msmickit@yahoo.com

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Originally Posted By Susan Grace

I can answer part of your question. No, you don't get your money back if you do not pass your homestudy. That's an investment risk that one must take. Your attorney should be able to assist you with a social worker able to do your homestudy, and if he can't, then how many adoptions has he done?

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Originally Posted By Michelle

Susan,

The question about 'getting our money back if not approved' was a rhetorical one. We have no fears of not 'passing' the homstudy, but the enormous cost, I will state again, was alarming. I had hoped to find someone else out there that could understand my plight (as I was venting about the cost) or at least receive a response from someone who could actually help. Of course, I've asked my attorney to recommend a social worker to complete the homestudy, I thought I would exhaust all sources available to me to locate someone who could lawfully complete the study.

Our attorney has been my family's attorney for 25+ years and he is handling this adoption process for us so we wouldn't have to pay an "adoption" attorney $10-20K to push paperwork through the court system. Are you suggesting that I find another attorney if my attorney has a limited list of homestudy social workers? (another rhetorical question)

I had hoped to find more than criticism (however gentle) about my choice of attorneys, but thanks again for responding.

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Originally Posted By Susan Grace

Ooops sorry can't tell rhetorical questions from real ones, not from online. My humblest of apologies. Next time I will mind my own business. Good Luck

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Originally Posted By Carla Poepsel

Christian family services is Located in Webster Groves Missouri. The website is CFServe.org. Call Jane northrop about the cost. It is approximately 1,100+ for a homestudy. Or call Evergreen Family services in Mexico Missouri, the cost 1,200+ I don't have the # off hand. Call info and they will have it.n We encaountered the same problem you have. The cost just jeep piling on and on. But if you call Jane she will explain alot. And you don't have to use them to complete the adoption,as far as I know. I will pray for you and your family.