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I have a question on the age of validity on a home study? My parents (in their 50's) have adopted numerous children (There are 4 biological children, and 5 adoptive). It has been 7 years since the last adoption. The first adoption was 14 years ago, and this is the age of the home study. This home study (from 14 years ago) interviewed the biological children, all of whom no longer live in the household. The remaining adoptive children continue to reside with my parents. A recent/current home study has not been conducted of the current family situation. It seems to me with such a change, and addition of family members, that a current one should be required. And if a new home study is required, would the original children (from the original 14 yr old homestudy) be re-iterviewed??

Recently, they have adopted an infant(from a private agency), and I am wondering the ethical issues of using a 14 year old home study in the adoption process?? Is there a legal guideline that states how current a home study needs to be??? And does a home study require interview of all children in a family, whether adult/child, living at home/or not???

Thank you

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Originally Posted By Greg Franklin

You've raised some interesting questions (I suspect that you may have a rather personal interest in these issues). Generally, adoption laws vary from state to state (and from agency to agency), and I cannot advise you on the legalities of your situation ( do not know where you are located).

It would be unusual, to say the least, for a home study as outdated as the one you mention to be acceptable to an agency or a court. I recommend that you speak with an attorney who is familiar with adoption-related issues; you might be able to find an experienced attorney, who is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, at www.adoptionattorneys.org, or I would be happy to recommend local counsel.

Please let me know if you have any questions and if I may be of any assistance.

Greg Franklin

Please note that this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship between the parties to this message. Any comments or recommendations made in this communication are of a general nature, are based upon the limited information provided to the addressee, and are not to be construed as legal advice.