What is a home study, and what is its role in the adoption process?
Some courts require home studies to be conducted of a potential family before an adoption can be completed. A home study is conducted by a state agency or licensed social worker, and looks for financial stability, marital stability, lifestyles, career obligations, physical and mental health, criminal history, and the presence of other children in the home. The process examines the home life of prospective parents to determine whether they are fit to adopt a child.
