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ADOPTION & ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ART) ATTORNEYS

    Why Hire an Attorney in My Home State to Assist Me With Surrogacy?

    Nov 08, 2022

    Even if you know someone who has agreed to serve as a surrogate mother for your future child – and even if that person doesn’t reside in your state – it’s still essential to find an attorney you can trust to help you through the process in your home state.


    Whether pursuing surrogacy, there are many different steps you need to take in order to comply with the law. At the same time, you deserve to have the help of compassionate experts who want to help you build the best environment possible for your growing family.

    A surrogacy attorney can be one of your most important allies, no matter what the journey looks like for you. But it’s reasonable to ask, “Why do I need an attorney? Won’t that just make the whole thing more complicated?” We understand, and we’d like to help you make an informed choice with confidence.

    Let’s take a closer look at exactly how the right surrogacy attorney can help you:


     You’ll Need a Surrogacy Contract to Help Manage Your Relationship


    The relationship between Intended Parents and a surrogate mother is something truly unique. It involves a wide range of rights and responsibilities that all must be spelled out in advance. Your attorney helps you understand the relevant issues and make choices that protect you and your family, especially in the event a disagreement arises between you and the surrogate later on.


     An Attorney Will Help You Protect Any Money Invested in Surrogacy


    During surrogacy, the Intended Parents are usually responsible for all of the surrogate’s bills related to prenatal care and fertility treatments (if any). Parents may also agree to cover other expenses, such as travel, or provide a set amount of compensation. Even with a surrogate you know well, you should not provide these payments in cash. Instead, they should be discussed with your attorney and disbursed consistent with a gestational carrier agreement.


     Your Attorney Will Prepare You for Necessary Legal Filings Along the Way


    Even with the best of intentions, it’s possible for a simple oversight to add complications to your whole surrogacy process. An experienced assisted reproductive attorney (also known as a surrogacy attorney); who has been through the process in your state makes it far easier. Your attorney is always looking ahead to the next bend in the road so you’ll be ready for filings and hearings in advance, including the filing necessary on the same day your surrogate gives birth.


     An Attorney Offers Emotional Support and Practical Guidance in Hard Times


    As the Intended Parent, there may be times when you need to make challenging decisions about the care of the surrogate and of the growing fetus. These can be emotionally charged moments even in the best of times. With an attorney at your side, you have options even if you find yourself facing a rare and fraught situation, such as illness of the surrogate or a breakdown of the surrogate relationship.


     An Attorney Can Help You Ensure Your Adopted Child Comes Home Without Delay


    Although the surrogacy process is unique, it often entails the same milestones as other forms of family building. With an attorney who can map things out for you, you’ll always be on the right path and never get caught by surprise. Then you can focus your energy on spending time with your child and forging family ties.

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