Home Study Concerns

A few skeletons in your closet?  Are you afraid you may not be approved to adopt?  Not everyone's past is free and clear of indiscretions.  If you have events in your past that you are afraid may prevent you from being home study approved you should disclose them to the social worker as soon as possible.  For more information visit Surviving the Homestudy.

The author of the article gives the following general guidelines on how many situations of concern may be handled:

• Criminal record- Misdemeanors committed during youth usually are not held against a prospective adoptive parent.  You should disclose your record to the social worker, it will mostly come up during your background check anyway.  If you have committed a felony the U.S. government will not approve you to adopt internationally and domestic agencies will probably not accept you.
• Health conditions or disabilities- If your conditions are controlled and you can provide long term care for a child you may be approved.  If your condition is life threatening you will most likely be denied.
• Financial issues- You must be able to provide for a child but you do not need to be wealthy.  A history of bankruptcy, large amounts of debt, or failure to pay child support may cause you to be denied.