Home Study

A home study is an official court-ready document prepared by a licensed Greenlight Family Services social worker that examines every aspect of a family’s life. It may include finances, health, marital history, background checks, a description of the family’s home and neighborhood, and more. Greenlight has qualified social workers with extensive experience in completing home studies for families who are adopting or who are court mandated to have one completed before being granted visitation or custody. Greenlight is able to complete home studies for adoption agencies and courts within Illinois, or for families who live in Illinois but need a home study completed for a court in another state, territory, or country. Home study services are offered on a sliding scale fee to clients based on household income.

Families are encouraged to check the requirements of the adoption agency or court they are working with before contacting Greenlight. Some adoption agencies and courts have a list of pre-approved organizations that a family may contact for a home study. Greenlight is able to work within any guidelines, requirements, or formats, but some adoption agencies and courts can be firm about having a family select an organization from a pre-approved list.