Family Court Services provides professional home-based social investigations that courts rely on in making decisions affecting the safety and well-being of children involved in adoption, probate, dissolution of marriage and parentage proceedings. The investigations typically include a walk-through of the parents’ homes, observations of parent/guardian and child interactions, and interviews with all household residents, including children, as appropriate.
FCS seeks to serve the welfare of children and families involved in Adoption, Probate, and Domestic Relations Division proceedings by conducting home-based social investigations that aid courts in reducing family conflict, determining children’s best interests, and assisting with the finalization of independent adoptions.
The Home Studies Process
FCS conducts home studies only by a court’s order. The order must include complete information for all parties, including parents, children, attorneys (GAL and Attorney for the child(ren) as well). The court’s order for the home study must be sent to the FCS by email at DRD.family@cookcountyil.gov.
A FCS Family Support Specialist will request additional information not contained in the court order. Questionnaires and requests for additional information are sent in an introductory email to parents and attorneys. The Family Support Specialist must schedule appointments for interviews with each party and each child, as well as other adults living in either residence. The home study also includes a walk-through of both homes; as well as DCFS and criminal background checks of all residents in each home.
Domestic Relations Cases
Judges in the Domestic Relations Division may order a home study to: (1) address concerns about the appropriateness of a home and to verify who resides there; (2) give parents the opportunity to identify challenges with co-parenting and to express their wishes; and (3) assist the court in determining a child’s best interest with regard to allocation of parental responsibility and parenting time questions.
FCS Family Support Specialists conduct extensive interviews with parents and child(ren) (depending on ages) and observe interactions between parents and children in both homes and may also conduct a document review including, but not limited to, counseling, psychiatric, medical, school, and police reports, court orders, petitions, and orders of protections. DCFS and criminal background checks of all residents in each home are required. The home study also includes a walk-through of both homes which typically takes about three hours to complete and are conducted on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Length of time for interviews may vary depending upon the number of residents in each household, as every resident must be interviewed.
Adoption and Probate Cases
FCS conducts home-based assessments of families in support of independent non-relative adoptions and submits a final report to the court.
Family Support Specialists interview prospective adoptive parents and all individuals residing in the home, as well as performing a review of relevant documents and providing to the court results of DCFS, fingerprint, and criminal background checks. The home study also includes a walk-through of the prospective parent(s)’ home which typically takes about three hours to complete and is conducted on a weekday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Length of time for interviews may vary depending upon the number of residents in the household, as every resident must be interviewed.
When possible, Family Support Specialists may interview biological parents for background information in support of finalizing adoptions. FCS may provide post-adoption search assistance, such as responding to individual requests for non-identifying information regarding biological parents.
Mandatory Reporters
FCS Family Support Specialists are mandated to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect of any minor child(ren) to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Family Support Specialists must explain the mandated reporting requirements of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, 325 ILCS 5/1 et seq to each party. FCS does not remove children from parents, nor does it investigate allegations of abuse and neglect.
Safety and Technology Policy
The safety of all parties involved in the home study is important, including the safety of the Family Support Specialist. Weapons of any kind are not allowed during the walk-through of the home. Pets should be kept away from the Family Support Specialist during the walk-through. Any perceived threat to safety may result in the termination of the process and a report made to the court or to law enforcement. All parties are required to maintain proper language, behavior and decorum as if they were present in a courtroom. No participant involved in the home study process shall be permitted to use any electronic device to record audio or video.
Home Study Reports
Family Support Specialists must submit a report to the court that includes observations, and conclusions (and possibly social services referrals when necessary) prior to the court status date. A copy of the home study report will be sent to any attorney of record on the case, and to any Guardian ad Litem, or attorney for the child(ren). A copy may also be sent to parents upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a Domestic Relations Division case, a judge may order an investigation and a written report from Family Court Services. The court relies on the professional home-based social investigation to assist in making decisions that affect the safety and well-being of children involved in dissolution of marriage and parentage proceedings. The investigations typically include a walk-through of the parents’ homes, observations of parent/guardian and child interactions, and interviews with all household residents, including children, as appropriate.
In an Adoption or Probate Division case, a judge may order a home-based assessment of a family in support of an independent adoption. The assessment includes interviews of the prospective adoptive parents and any other individual residing in the home, as well as document reviews and criminal and DCFS background checks. A confidential final report of investigation is submitted to the court.
Home studies are ordered to address questions about the appropriateness of the home and who resides there; to give parents the opportunity to identify challenges with co-parenting and to express their wishes, and to aid in decision-making regarding allocation of parental responsibility and parenting time.
The judge in your case will write an order for a home study. The court order must be delivered to Family Court Services at DRD.family@cookcountyil.gov in order for the process to begin. The process is time sensitive.
When a parent fails to communicate with the Family Support Specialist, or fails to make a child available, the Judge is notified. It is helpful to FCS when a parent advises of any extenuating circumstances regarding non-compliance.
A Family Support Specialist will contact you to schedule the necessary appointments.
Yes. Your child(ren) must be present. FCS is required to observe parent/child interaction and it is important that child(ren), depending on their age, are given an opportunity to express themselves.
Parents are responsible for working out a transportation plan for their children.
No. The home study report is written to assist the judge in making decisions regarding the issues of parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities.
If a parent is represented by an attorney, a copy of the home study will be sent to the attorney. A copy of the home study may also be sent to the parents upon request.