[Farrelite]

I was just wondering for those of you that have already been through it how was your experience?

Did it take long to get an appointment for them to come to your home?

What kinds of things did they look at during their visit?

What kinds of questions did they ask you?

Will they talk to my daughter much? She's 7.

I know they do a background check. Do they do a check on all parents involved or just the potential adoptive parent?

Is there any drug testing involved? This won't be a problem for us but my husband wants to know everything because it may interfere with his work schedule.

What about the cost?

I just want to know what to expect. Our lawyer was very nonchalant about it because the bf is consenting and we won't have problems with the background check or anything but I want to know what to expect so that I am mentally prepared for it all.

[AJBs Mom]

Depending on counties it may be slightly differant. We paid a total of 700 dollars fo the investigation. We went through an orientation first. Then we had to fill out paper work and my husband got the paperwork to get his background check done. Only the adoptive parent is under investigation. The child is already yours. There is really no question of you. You just has to sign a consent to allow the adoption. It takes a couple of weeks to get the background check back but when the worker does she will make an appointment fo a home visit. During the visit it is just to discuss the case and to seee how the child interacts with the parent adoptiong. It is not really to check the standard of your home as we had thought. Then the social worker will contact the bio parent and ask him if he agrees and will not do anything to change his mind. Then the social worker will write up a report and file it with your attorney and the court. Then you will get a hearing to terminate parental rights and then an adoption hearing. Hope this helps if you have anymore questions feel free to write.

[Farrelite]

Thank you for the info. My daughter is very bright and talkative. What will they tell her they are there for? I am not trying to hide anything from her just curious as to how they will awnser her questions because I know she will be asking them lots of them.

[AJBs Mom]

My children were running around and playing. They really did not talk to her. I mean she said hi and asked how they are. My daughter did ramble on about something. I do not know. The environment was very laxed. My daughter knew how ever that this lady was going to tell the judge whether her daddy should adopt her or not. Oh ya my daughter rambled on about the party we were planning on having for the adoption and how she is a princess and stuff like that. I do not think the child will influence much unless she makes allegations of abuse or something, which is unlikely. It will be fine. I remember being real nervous also. and it turned out fine.