What are our chances of being approved for adoption?

[domesticvoyager]

I know noone can tell me, but we're starting the process and I'd like to know if there is anything that counts us out before I get our hopes up.

DH and I have 2 children. We have DS age 4 who is donor conceived. We did this because DH has a hereditary health issue not because of conception issues. Our other child is my DH's nephew. He is now 15 and was orphaned at the age of 1 (both parents), brought up by MIL and then passed to us when he was 12 because he wasn't going to school/behaviour issues. This has been hard but has worked really well and he is now happy, good friends and doing well academically.

We live in a largish house and are financially very secure. However, DH's work would be described as a professional gambler which I know is probably not their favourite.

We would like to adopt from abroad. Any age. Any variety.

Can anyone give me their opinion?

[Mutley77]

Hope all going ok - just a couple of points to add:

1. You probably will need to sort out the status of your DN as part of the adoption process - shouldn't be overly complex but he does need to have someone with the ability to make decisions legally for him, i.e. having PR - as someone above said that is likely to be a residence order but your LA will be able to advise you.
   
   
2. If you are hoping to adopt from overseas your LA will need to assess you (or whoever they outsource their work to which may be PACT or the IAC or another agency depending on where you live) - you won't have a choice of agency. PACT do also deal with domestic adoption and it is definitely worth speaking to them - all adopters have their own personal circumstances and experiences so one agency won't necessarily fit all.