What does a home study involve? My exhusband did not respond to a motion filed on 9/1 requesting a home study of his home. In the motion, my attorney recommended a Dr. to conduct the study and I'll be meeting with her next week.

What should I expect? Are there any questions I should be certain to ask the Dr?

As I can remember, when children's services came to the house to do my home study;


They did a tour to see where everyone would sleep.
Checked that basic systems were in working order.
Checked that we had fire alarms on both floors and near the furnace.
Checked for any obvious hazards.
Checked the general cleanliness of my home.
Asked who lived in the home.
Asked which schools my children attended.
They asked about criminal records of anyone living / visiting here and if the neighborhood was generally safe.
Which neighbors we were "friends with".
Where I was employed, what my job was, and how long I had worked there. (and contact #'s for my supervisor)
What animals we had and where the animals slept.
They had us fill out information for background checks and arranged where / when to be fingerprinted.
Where my children were born.
Information about my ex husband.
Whether or not we operated a business out of the home.
If we used drugs or alcohol.
If we had ever had involvement with children's services.
If we had any physical or emotional problems.
What the household income / bills were.
What kind of daycare arrangements would be made for the child.
What we were willing to do to provide for the child's developmental needs.
What support network we had to assist us with the child.


I may have forgotten something and different states do different things but I guess these would be the basic things they do.