Michelle:A homestudy is required for all adoptions, whether private or agency-assisted. As far as classes, you will need to check with your state; each state has its own adoption requirements. As yo...
Michelle:A homestudy is required for all adoptions, whether private or agency-assisted. As far as classes, you will need to check with your state; each state has its own adoption requirements. As you will need an attorney for finalization of your adoption, if you use an experienced one, such as a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, you can ask him/her about your state's requirements. As an example, he/she will probably tell you that you will need to have the biological father, as well as the biological mother, sign relinquishments, and if the biological father is unknown, you will need to follow your state's laws regarding placement of an ad in the newspaper or whatever. Adoption is a complex legal process, which is designed to protect the rights of children, their biological parents, and their adoptive families, and it is best not to take shortcuts at the beginning, or you could face major headaches later -- for example, if the birthfather contests the adoption, when you try to get a birth certificate showing you as the parents so you can take him/her to the doctor or enroll him/her in school, etc.