You've got lots of answers here talking about how expensive it is, I assume they live in Blue states and countries. In my decidedly purple state, home studies are necessary but dont cost anything. The background checks are pretty surface level and even convicted felons pass mustard. You have to take a class over 5 weeks, but again, this is free, and often even encouraged with benefits or even cash, to attend. Lawyers arent necessary unless you want them, most adoptions go through without an attorney for the adopting family because DSS is your lawyer and trying to get the kids adopted, not fighting against you to do so.

All this isnt arm chair quarterbacking. My wife has been an adoptions officer for 5 years for the state and 1 year private, having been a social worker since she left college and navigating to the adoptions position she wanted.

So my real advice isnt to try to contradict the other good posts here, but to call your local social services, and ask to speak to the adoptions worker herself, not the front desk and not case managers or investigators, but the adoptions worker. She will know if the local judges are pro/con adoption, what it takes in your area specifically, and all that jazz. And probably be very enthusiastic to have a prospective adopter.