KRS 199.510: Investigation and report.

(1) Upon filing a petition for the adoption of a minor child, the clerk of the court shall

forward two (2) copies of the petition to the cabinet. The cabinet, or any person,

agency or institution designated by it or the court shall, to the extent of available

facilities, investigate and report in writing to the court:

(a) Whether the contents of the petition required by KRS 199.490 are true;

(b) Whether the proposed adoptive parents are financially able and morally fit to

have the care, custody and training of the child; and

(c) Whether the adoption is to the best interest of the child and the child is

suitable for adoption.

(2) The report of the cabinet or the designated person, agency or institution shall be

filed with the court as soon as practicable but not later than ninety (90) days from

the placement of the child or ninety (90) days after the filing date of the petition,

whichever is longer, unless for good cause the court by written order extends the

period of time for filing the report. If the cabinet or the designated person, agency or

institution is unable to make the report, it shall within ten (10) days of receipt of the

petition notify the court of its inability to conduct the investigation, and the court

may designate some other person, agency or in stitution to make the necessary

investigation. If the court designates some other person, agency or institution, the

clerk shall forward one (1) copy of the petition to such person, agency or institution

and shall notify the cabinet of such other designati on at the time he forwards the

petition to the cabinet.

(3) If the cabinet is a party defendant, its reports, if it files no other pleadings, shall be

considered its answer to the petition.

(4) The clerk's fee for copying and forwarding the copies of the p etitions required by

this section shall be taxed as a cost of the action.