[feelingreyt]

We are doing a relative adoption where the bmom voluntarily is TPR. We have had POA and physical custody of the baby since 10/15/07. He was only 5 days when we brought him into our home. She has now asked us to adopt him. We met with the lawyer today and he said that the courts will waive the home study since she is doing this by choice and has actually requested we take him. Is this normal? I've no clue. We live in TN. The father is nowhere to be found so we will have to do publice notifications to try and contact him. He will most likely default. Does this all sound like "normal" protocal for this unique situation?

[kelceesmom]

Could be true but I was under the impression that that didn't matter and you always have to have a homestudy. Google it and see what you come up with. Good luck.

[bajj]

I do know of a family who had theirs waived, but I'm not sure what state they were in.

[Kat-L]

Originally Posted by feelingreyt

We are doing a relative adoption where the bmom voluntarily is TPR. We have had POA and physical custody of the baby since 10/15/07. He was only 5 days when we brought him into our home. She has now asked us to adopt him. We met with the lawyer today and he said that the courts will waive the home study since she is doing this by choice and has actually requested we take him. Is this normal? I've no clue. We live in TN. The father is nowhere to be found so we will have to do publice notifications to try and contact him. He will most likely default. Does this all sound like "normal" protocal for this unique situation?

If you end up needing a homestudy, call around for quotes. The price can vary from $500 to $2000 dollars. Just get out the phone book and start calling agencies-explain your situation and make sure you get one with a fair fee.

[HBV]

Maybe in your state---google the state statutes on adoption. It's not here. You still have to have a homestudy for a formal adoption. Are you absolutely certain the attorney's not talking about a guardianship?

[luvmylittlegirls]

Originally Posted by feelingreyt

We are doing a relative adoption where the bmom voluntarily is TPR. We have had POA and physical custody of the baby since 10/15/07. He was only 5 days when we brought him into our home. She has now asked us to adopt him. We met with the lawyer today and he said that the courts will waive the home study since she is doing this by choice and has actually requested we take him. Is this normal? I've no clue. We live in TN. The father is nowhere to be found so we will have to do publice notifications to try and contact him. He will most likely default. Does this all sound like "normal" protocal for this unique situation?

Some states waive the home study for relative adoptions. Totally normal protocol.

[feelingreyt]

Thanks everyone. I looked it up and in TN you can ask to have the homestudy waived if it is a relative adoption. The Judge usually grants the waive. Thats great news! Thanks again for all the replies!

[danhanan]

Yes, totally normal. NH will waive a homestudy for relatives. I'm not sure how far out on the family tree they go with that, I've never had reason to look into it, but I know they do. Each state has there own laws. The one thing I'd be careful about it where they are required to sign relinquishment. Some lawyers in NH aren't even aware that it can only be signed in front of a judge to be legal. Some states allow it to be done in a lawyers office and some only require a notarized signature. In NH if it's not done before a judge it's not binding if the bparents change their mind after the fact.