Custody/Social/Home Study

Custody/Adoption Evaluation/Home Study

Evaluations such as these, sometimes referred to as Home Studies, are studies necessary for different types of Custody and Adoption cases. Because circumstances sometimes have moms and dads living in differing towns, I often travel to different areas of Texas to complete a study or evaluation.

A custody or adoption study is a review of you, your spouse, and anyone else living in your home. A home study is required for almost every adoption and custody case. It highlights items such as relationships, interactions with children, your neighborhood, and your childhood. Initially, the home study process frightens some families until they actually complete one. I will do my best to make the process both easy and relaxing. The home study helps the courts, and the agency (if there is one involved for an adoption), determine if a stable environment exists for a family to receive an adoptive or custody placement. Collecting all the documents for the evaluation can be time consuming.
 
Some custody evaluations involve a dispute between parties (i.e. mom/dad, parents/grandparents, etc). These evaluations may be more in depth including psychological evaluations and investigations regarding allegations. Also, such evaluations may require the examiner to testify in court.
 
You can expect to discuss the following topics during your evaluation interview(s):
Personal and Family Background
Previous and Current Relationships
Health Status of everyone in the home
Home and Living Environment
Financial Information
Child Rearing and Discipline Practices
Values and Expectation Regarding Parenting
Expectations of and Plans for an Adoption Child
 
In preparation for the home visit and interview, you will be required to compile the support documentation. The documents requested may include the following:
Birth Certificates of all Family Members
Marriage License (if applicable)
Divorce Decree (if applicable)
Death Certificates of previous spouses/deceased children (if applicable)
Drivers License
Tax Return for previous 2 years
Physician’s statement of health
Copies of financial records, stocks etc.
Insurance policies: life, health, medical
Names, addresses, and phone numbers of 5-10 references, including any children       not currently residing in your home
Estimated budget with income and expenses
 
Additionally, you will be required to submit to the following background checks:
Criminal Background Check
Central Registry Check

Post placement reports or updates may also be needed for adoption studies.  These are reports ordered by the courts to evaluate the status of a placement.  In addition, the courts may require the evaluator to testify in court.

Fees for a Custody/Adoption/Home Study may vary depending on location, type, and number of persons seeking conservatorship.
 
Please contact me to discuss rates for your study.

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