[DenzilDragon]

We've been looking into agency fees, and they all seem ridiculously high around here, and the agency advised us to get an attorney in addition anyway.

Is it possible to just work with an attorney, and get the home study done independently? How would we even go about that? If anyone can point us in the right direction, we'd be really grateful!

btw, we're in California, if that makes any difference.

[leenie71]

Oh yes, we had an independent hs done since we signed with a facilitator. We could have done it with one of our local agencies, but it would have cost about $1000 more. We live in PA...I happened to find an independent social worker who does only homestudies. I found her listed on this website Adoption Home Study Resources - 1-800-HomeStudy. Luckily, she only lived about 2 miles away (she charged for mileage) and she was also an adoptive mom (2 times). She did our homestudy for $800 last year and our update this year for a little over $300. Inexpensive compared to the agencies I checked with....

Hope that helps some...best of luck!

[HMKLJK]

We are also in CA (San Jose). Our agency charged on a sliding scale based on income which set the max cost at $2500. At our income level we had the pay the max...

Good luck. If you get the chance, read my post about our adoption ordeal in CA - "Waiting to be matched 2009 edition"

[DenzilDragon]

Thanks, Leenie. That looks like a really useful link.

Sorry you're having to wait so long, HMKLJK. We were afraid that would be the case with fost/adopt, and I really didn't think I could stand to foster a child & then have to give them back if they were reunited with their birth family. It would be too cruel, after all the waiting we've done.