Deciding to adopt is a big decision. Once you make this decision, you must take many steps before you can legally adopt in Georgia. One of those steps is attending an adoption interview. However, attending an adoption interview with high stakes can feel nerve-wracking. After all, you may desperately want a child, and getting through this interview is critical.
What is an Adoption Interview?
Every hopeful adoptive parent must answer adoption interview questions from a social worker during the home study stage of the process. A home study allows the social worker to assess the family’s living situation and determine whether the family is ready for adoption.
“Get to Know You” Questions
The social worker may begin the interview with simple “get-to-know-you” questions, such as what you do for a living, what hobbies you enjoy, and how you view your relationship with your significant other.
From there, the social worker may ask you about your childhood, your relationship with your parents, and how you think the way your parents raised you shaped your life. They may ask what your life is like now—specifically, what a “typical” day looks like, and what you like and dislike about your community.
Life Questions: Once the social worker has “broken the ice,” so to speak, they will begin to ask pragmatic questions that relate to how you will raise a child. These questions could include:
- Do you have a criminal record?
- How will you financially provide for the needs of a child?
- Is your current job fairly secure?
- What is your health like, and does your family have a history of chronic illnesses?
- How do you plan to educate your child?
- Who will care for the child while you work (spouse, babysitter, family member, etc.)?
- If married, how long have you been married?
- How do you and your spouse divide daily chores?
- What do you like most about your spouse—and least?
Adoption Questions: Couples often find adoption-specific questions harder than prior questions. Some adoption-specific interview questions could include:
- What kind of parenting style do you think you will have?
- Do you understand the adoption process?
- Are you prepared for the unexpected in the adoption process?
- Why do you want to adopt a child?
- Do you have a good understanding of the unique challenges faced by adopted children?
- What kind of hopes do you have for your child and your family?
- Do you currently have children?
- If yes, are those children adopted or biological?
- How is your relationship with the children you have?
- How do your children feel about the adoption?
- What values do you strive to instill in your children?
Your social worker will want to know all about the home environment your adoptive child will come home to, including who lives in your home, who regularly visits, whether you have pets, whether you rent or own, whether anyone smokes in your home, and even whether you feel safe in your current neighborhood.
Depending on the type of adoption you are planning, the social worker may also ask the following questions:
- How do you feel about open adoption?
- How do you feel about closed adoption?
- Are you open to adopting a child with a disability?
- Are you open to adopting a child of another race?
- If you adopt a newborn, will you be in touch with the birth mother?
- If so, what are your responsibilities—and what are the responsibilities of the birth mother?
- If you are adopting through foster care, they may ask about your experience with children of the same age.
- If you plan to adopt a child of a different race, the social worker may ask how you will include the child’s ethnicity in your family.
During the interview, you and your spouse can also ask questions, so it’s always a good idea to think of any questions you might have. Most prospective parents ask about the likelihood that the adoption will go smoothly and what additional financial responsibilities they should prepare for.
It can also be helpful to talk to other adoptive parents to prepare yourself for the sometimes-bumpy adoption journey. Deciding to adopt a child is an exciting decision but can also come with many other emotions. Being prepared for your adoption interview can make it much less difficult!
Contact Our Atlanta Adoption Attorneys
If you have questions about adoption or any family law issue, we can help. We will walk you through the process, including the adoption interview, so you feel prepared and less anxious.
At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., our family law attorneys work quickly to guide you through the adoption process from the very beginning. We can help you file the paperwork, attend hearings, and ensure the legal process goes smoothly. Call us immediately to learn more. Our attorneys can meet with you to discuss these issues and guide you through what comes next.
Call us at (770) 284-6153 or fill out our confidential contact form. We can set up a consultation so that you can review all your legal options.
Attorney Sarah Hobson at Hobson and Hobson, P.C. are powerful advocates for those who fight for better futures for those going through divorce and custody law matters.