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Many couples who seek out surrogate mothers are blithely aware that often times surrogacy can involve legal representation and legal proceedings.
Today, with the legalization of gay marriage and the advancements in medical technology, surrogacy is more common than it was even a decade ago.
Couples are now able to start or expand their families through assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, and egg or sperm donation and embryo donation is rapidly increasing in popularity.
As a result of advancements in technology and modern medicine, in addition to changes in society, Florida state law has also changed in order to address the rights of donors, surrogates, and intended parents.
Florida Surrogacy attorneys at the Law Offices of Aliette H. Carolan are experienced and fully knowledgeable advocates in surrogacy arrangements and are able to advise and represent prospective parents and couples.
When undergoing a surrogacy agreement, the law offices of Aliette H. Carolan can help in the following areas:
Volunteering to serve as a surrogate: Women who have considered becoming a surrogate are entitled to certain rights under Florida state law.
A woman’s rights are often defined by a certain surrogacy agreement and have to do with whether it is genetic (a woman’s egg and one parent’s sperm, or donated sperm) or gestational (the surrogate carries the fertilized embryo of the couple or intended parents).
Intended parents seeking traditional surrogacy: Regarding gestational surrogacy, the surrogate’s egg is fertilized. If this avenue is chosen, then this means that the birth of a child is biologically related to the surrogate under Florida state law.
For both parents to be considered legal guardians of the child, a legal adoption must take place.
Parents seeking gestational surrogacy: Regarding genetic surrogacy, a fertilized embryo is implanted into the surrogate. If this avenue is chosen, then this means that the birth of a child is not biologically related to the surrogate.
If the embryo is genetically from the intended parents, no adoption can be considered. On the other hand, an affirmation of parental rights proceeding can be conducted in these cases.
Egg Donation and/or Sperm Donation or Embryo Donation: There are several circumstances that require egg and/or sperm donation in order to create an embryo from implantation in either the intended mother or a surrogate.
In fact, many individuals who have embryos left over generously donate them to a clinic to make them available for a couple or intended parents that would like to expand their families.
Also Read:
- Does A Sperm Donor Equal a Dad?
- What Does a Surrogacy Lawyer Do?
- What Has Fueled the Huge Growth in Surrogacy In the Past Decade?
Regardless of which avenue an intended family or intended surrogate mother chooses, the law offices of Aliette H. Carolan are skilled and experienced with assisting in any legal representation in any of the above surrogacy agreements.
Our legal team goes above and beyond to assist both surrogate mothers and intended families and couples with their rights under Florida state law. We can also can guide you through this process and draft or review the necessary agreements.
It’s important for couples’ and surrogates’ rights be protected through any surrogacy agreement or adoption process.
Surrogacy Attorney Florida
Contact the law offices of Aliette H. Carolan at 305-358-2330 for a free, no-obligation interview to see how we can help you with legal advice, representing you in court proceedings, if needed, assist you with protecting your rights, and help you with your legal family planning needs and goals.