At Hanson, we embrace the diversity of all families and recognize that many individuals require various means of alternative reproductive methods, either assisted reproductive technology or third party reproduction through donation of embryos, eggs or sperm or surrogacy, in order to create their families. We know that the process can be filled with emotion and is deeply personal to each client, and it is our goal to offer peace of mind to our clients by offering counsel of an attorney experienced in reproductive and surrogacy law.
It is important for LGBTQ parents to recognize that local and international laws require varying processes to establish the legal standing of each partner as a legally recognized parent of the child, and therefore, we encourage intended parents to promptly seek legal advice on the process in your state or country in order to ensure the necessary contracts, legal orders and arrangements are put in place to protect yourselves and your families and establish your parental rights.
In most cases within the US, same sex couples who are married or registered as domestic partners are generally afforded protection in ensuring parental rights; however, in some cases a pre or post birth order is required to establish the intended parents as the legal parents of a child/children resulting from surrogacy or other methods of assisted reproductive technology, including for legal document records, including the birth certificate, social security, etc. In some cases, an adoption process will also be needed to protect each partner’s rights as equal parents to a child.
Our firm recognizes that this journey can be both emotionally, financially and physically taxing for our clients, and we strive to serve each party with quality counsel and advice while maintaining empathy and understanding to protect your family and parental rights.
No matter your sexual orientation, our firm believes that every family should be given the opportunity to grow as they wish and be legally protected. We recognize that there are diverse types of individuals, couples and families who are seeking legal advice in family formation, and we endeavor to draft agreements and adoption forms to provide your family the legal protection it deserves. We are attuned to the complexities of nuances of the legal system, and offer highly trained service and legal counsel to our LGBTQ+ clients.
Our contracts can include provisions on various elements of surrogacy or third party reproductive donations, including the source of the egg, embryo, sperm, surrogacy compensation, expected responsibilities and actions of all parties, and parental rights. It is imperative in the case of surrogacy that any parental rights remaining with the surrogate are dissolved unless otherwise agreed in order to establish parentage to the intended parents.
