When intended parents first research surrogacy, the terms gestational carrier and traditional surrogate often appear interchangeable. They are not. The difference is not just biological. It’s also legal. The arrangement you choose determines which contracts are...
Signing a surrogacy contract is one of the most significant legal steps you will take on the path to parenthood. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people assume it is routine paperwork — a formality to get through before the "real" part of the journey...
Most intended parents begin their surrogacy journey with a reasonable assumption: once the baby is born — conceived with their embryo, carried under a signed agreement — they are the legal parents. That assumption is wrong, and in some states, acting on it can have...
For LGBTQ+ parents, securing legal parentage isn't just a formality; it's the foundation of family security, freedom to travel, and profound peace of mind. Vermont has emerged as a symbol of progress, enacting landmark legislation that dramatically simplifies this...
Surrogacy offers a transformative path to parenthood for individuals and couples unable to conceive or carry a child. However, the world of surrogacy is far from simple. It involves a variety of legal, emotional, and logistical considerations, with each type of...
Choosing a surrogate you already know and trust doesn't make the legal risk disappear. It often raises the stakes. Family loyalty and years of friendship carry real weight, but they don't establish parental rights, medical decision authority, or enforceable...
Much of the nation was recently shocked by the February 16, 2024 decision of the Alabama Supreme Court holding that embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) were in fact human beings. Media outlets were quick to pick selected quotes from the court’s majority...
Understanding how parental rights are established in California can be a point of concern for parents going through fertility treatments or surrogacy. While the most common way of establishing parental rights in California is by giving birth to a child or by...
Building a family through surrogacy can be a fulfilling experience, but it also involves legal steps that must be addressed early in the process. In California, which is considered a surrogacy-friendly state, a key legal tool for intended parents is the...
California and other states are recognizing the increased use of surrogacy agreements for couples who are unable to have children on their own. Also referred to as a gestational carrier contract, these legal agreements help to outline the responsibilities of each...
