Legal Question in Family Law in California

Asoption Home Study and Juvenile Court Records

My husband is 43 years old. We are trying to adopt from a foreign country. The social worker has requested sealed juvenile records from my husband's past in completing the home study. Is this a legally appropriate request? Are we obligated to provide this information? We thought that juvenile records were private and could not be used against him.


Asked on 3/06/06, 9:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

KATHIE SIMMONS KATHIE SIMMONS

Re: Asoption Home Study and Juvenile Court Records

I thought you didn't have to reveal to anyone that you had a sealed juvenile record. How did they learn of it? If your husband told them he should probably allow them to see it. This presumes that the offence was not a crime against a child that is going to stop any adoption. It also presumes that the sealed record is still available. I think the social worker is going overboard but she may feel that it is required of her to ask for these records. I would not suggest that you go to war with her in that the home study is very subjective and you need her support for your successful pursuit of a child to adopt. Good luck, I hope it's a boy (or a girl).

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Answered on 3/06/06, 9:35 pm


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