Home Study

I worried and worked myself to death and they didn't even look in the closets! We were putting a third child into a tiny two bedroom home and I was even scrubbing the woodwork with worry!
The home study wasn't about the home, it was about the dynamics of home life and the family. They needed to see that we had space for a crib, and love for a baby. They weren't juding our home, it was more about the interviews with us. Seeing us interact with our current children and talking about the entire family dynamics - my mother-in-law was even very opposed to our adopting (she had other issues) and we had to show that we could deal with that.
We passed with flying colors!

The home study involves a social worker coming to your home to make sure that it is a safe and welcoming environment for a child. While they will make sure that you are able to afford a child, not "rolling in it" shouldn't be an obstacle.

Just be yourself and make sure the house is clean and "safe".

Each state has a list of things which is google-able, or the agency/state is usually more than happy to provide the list. Some things are a little obscure ... like having a list posted in a common area with all emergency, poison, doctors numbers... or the size of fire extinguisher required, and how many of them need to be in each home.

A home study is just for a lady to come to your house to make sure that you will have an appropriate place for the child. I was so freaked out about ours (step parent adoption), but the lady was so nice and just asked about our family, how do we get along, how long have we been together, what family members do for a living, etc. I was so sure that she'd be looking in closets and the fridge, etc. Lol. None of that happened. Relax. Just make sure that the house is clean and be honest. And God bless you for wanting to adopt! The world needs more families like you!

We were just approved a few weeks ago. Money in the bank was never discussed but we had to prove regular income with pay stubs. The amount doesn't matter. Family dynamics is the most important thing - how you & spouse relate to each other, do you show affection, how do you handle sadness, death of family members, and what is your relationship with each of your parents, each of your siblings, do you maintain contact with siblings, which ones are you closest to, how were you disciplined as a child, how do you intend to discipline now, how many pets, are they friendly & vaccinated, etc. . We had to provide a floor plan of our home with room sizes, etc., show we had fire/smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detector, safety plan in case of fire, etc. You'll need to provide a number of references who will definitely be contacted. Two of ours were against our adopting our grandchildren away from our daughter with drug issues - one thought our daughter might someday get straightened our & should gets her kids back & the other was our adult son who didn't think we should adopt because of our ages (64) and how it would affect our health & retirment plans. All other references gave us glowing recommendations - and we were approved.

Home studies are not to see how much money you do/don't have. They are to show that your home is clean and a safe place. They are also to assertain how many kids you can adopt according to size, bedrooms, etc. It really has nothing to do with money. My parents adopted 4 kids and had hundreds of foster kids through the years. And they were not rich by any standards. We had nice things and a comfortable upbringing, but were not and are not rich. They also interview family members to see the home dynamics and love for eachother and a possible another one.

My BFF became a foster mom and that is one step behind adopting through the state. Her house is a huge mess and so is her yard and they approved her. You should not have any issues if your house is in good repair, you are forthcoming with the information they want, you have taken the classes they want, and try to do the things they suggest.

We went through this to get a couple of our grandkids but eventually decided they were really bonded to their foster parents who are now in the process of adopting them. We have guns in our home and they even approved that, as long as the guns and the ammunition are put up correctly. They want you to pass the study and will give you every opportunity to do as needed.

You should do just fine.

A friend was looking to adopt. When they came to her home, that were looking for safety issues. How do you store things like medications and cleaning products? Railings on the stairs? If an older home, lead paint?

They'll also probably check to see how your current children are being taken care of.. like food in the house, their own bedrooms/sleeping arrangements.

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.