What You Need To Know About Egg Donation Agreements
Egg donors give the gift of life to some intended parents who may not be able to conceive without donated eggs. At Fertility & Surrogacy Legal Group, APC, we help ensure that the rights and obligations of both intended parents and donors are clearly outlined in our egg donation agreements to make the process as easy as possible for everyone involved.
Tailoring Agreements To Your Needs
Our attorneys at Fertility & Surrogacy Legal Group, APC, draft egg donation agreements that are customized to your situation (whether you wish it to remain anonymous or you have a known donor) and ensure that each is in full compliance with the law. These agreements serve to dissolve for the donor any custody rights of any eggs or embryos and parental rights or responsibilities for any child born as a result of her donated eggs. Each agreement clearly outlines the rights and obligations of each party, including:
- Ownership and control of eggs/embryos
- Egg retrieval process and time frame
- Medical insurance
- Travel expenses and logistics
- Donor’s compensation
- Disclosure of personal information
- Future contact
- Fees associated with fertility cycle/retrieval
Donors and intended parents must retain separate legal counsel. We have worked with both intended parents and egg donors from all over the world. Laws regarding egg donation vary by state, and with Fertility & Surrogacy Legal Group, APC’s network and experience, we will ensure your agreement is in compliance with the laws of your applicable state to avoid any legal issues that could complicate the process.
Understanding The Egg Donation Process
Egg donation involves hormonal treatments and medical procedures to extract the eggs. Generally, the process entails:
- Going through a screening to ensure that you’re eligible for egg donation
- Getting hormone treatments to stimulate ovulation of multiple eggs
- Undergoing egg retrieval through an ultrasound-guided surgical procedure
The entire process for one cycle of egg donation takes about a month. You may choose to donate during additional cycles, depending on how well you tolerate the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Donation
Below, you will find common questions about egg donation. Please reach out to us for answers to your questions.
Are egg donation laws different in every state?
Yes, which is why it’s important to work with a lawyer who is familiar with the laws of your state. Our attorneys are licensed in multiple states, and we have of-counsel arrangements that allow us to provide knowledgeable legal guidance for egg donors and intended parents in every state.
Can an egg donor request their parental rights at any point?
No. Many state laws expressly prevent egg donors from claiming any parental rights. Egg donation agreements also provide that the donor has no parental rights – which is one reason why these agreements are so important.
In traditional surrogacy – where the surrogate provides her own eggs for the pregnancy, but she is not the intended mother – parental rights can become more complicated. Please reach out to us for guidance if you’re considering this arrangement.
What is the purpose of an egg donation agreement?
An egg donation agreement, also called an egg donor contract, serves to state each party’s intentions, and it outlines and acknowledges their legal rights and responsibilities. This agreement also serves to clearly dissolve any parental rights as well as physical and legal custody the donor may have had over any embryos created or any child born as a result of her donated eggs. Most IVF physicians require an egg donation agreement to be signed before an egg donor begins her fertility medication cycle. We strongly urge any person thinking of using a donor or any person thinking of donating to have a legal agreement between the parties.
What is the process of preparing an egg donation agreement?
- Retain the legal services of Fertility & Surrogacy Legal Group, APC.
- We will prepare the first draft of your egg donation agreement and send you a copy to review.
- Schedule a time to review the agreement with one of our expert attorneys and negotiate the final terms of the agreement.
- Once we have an agreed-upon and fully executed final agreement, we work with any necessary parties to ensure that legal clearance is issued so that the donation can proceed.
We also represent egg donors in egg donation agreements; the process is very similar.
How long does it take to finalize egg donation agreements?
Once you retain our legal services, we will prepare your first draft within 24-48 hours for you to review. Typically, legal clearance can be issued within the span of two to three weeks, depending on how quickly the drafts are reviewed and approved.
I do not live in the San Diego area. Can I still retain your legal services?
Yes! Most of our work is done by email, phone/video conferencing, and FedEx/UPS/USPS services. You never need to come to our office, although we are always happy to meet our clients.
I may need translation services. Can Fertility & Surrogacy Legal Group, APC, help me with that?
Yes, Fertility & Surrogacy Legal Group, APC, has translators on staff and our agreements in templates of the most common languages. We can provide translators in any language needed.
Call Today For Knowledgeable Guidance On All Legal Aspects Of Egg Donation
For answers to all your questions, it is important to contact an experienced attorney. Call our office in San Diego at 619-309-2310 to schedule a consultation today.
