Back in January, a court ruled that a Kansas man who donated sperm to an English lesbian couple five years ago was now financially responsible for their four-year old daughter. Even though the parties had signed contracts stating that the man would have no financial responsibilities for any children conceived, they did not use a doctor in the donation process so the contracts were deemed null and void buy the UK court system. The man is currently appealing the ruling.
Unfortunately, unheard of things like this can happen when people don’t know the different legal systems they have to work within; this is a result of doing things the “easy” way. Those who are just trying to help a couple; who desperately want a child can get burned in the process. On the flip side, those wanting children stand to lose even more.
We’ve all heard surrogate and egg donor horror stories about a woman trying to keep somebody else’s baby; or, we hear of people backing out of situations that have cost so much money, time and effort (not to mention the emotional strain!) and leaving someone with nothing or worse: nothing AND in-debt. These stories are always the first ones you hear regarding surrogacy in the news, and that’s because there are those types of people out there who want to cheat the system. No matter how many people want to do good and bring joy with honest intentions, there will always be those that have to go and ruin it for everyone else. This happens in any field, but it is especially hurtful when children and families are involved.
The good part is that almost every possible situation has already occurred and agencies like SAI make it their business to know all the ins and outs for any problematic situation and possible outcome. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: California is the place to be for anything and everything to do with fertility law. We are the world leader in the field. Stuff like this will not happen in California if you go through the proper channels. Everybody’s butts (and tummies) are totally covered. This is why medical tourism has become so grand and why people from all over the globe come here for legitimate conception services.
Babies born in the state of California through legal sperm, egg donation and/or surrogacy arrangements are deemed their intended parents’ responsibility and child only, and the sperm donor does not have to pay sperm donation child support. It is as it should be. They may have taken an alternate route to get there, but once that child is born, it is the same legally as if it happened for them naturally.
Babies, parents, families, love–these are our favorite words and everybody at SAI is committed to make it happen for you, properly. Californian courts have ruled time and time again in favor of making great surrogacy laws that are implemented down to the T.
While the rest of the world may struggle and the laws are either restricted or uncertain, when researched, you will find that when the proper steps are taken and you select a reputable agency, you will never find yourself in a catastrophic situation in California. Babies with California birth certificates are always cared for by their true and legal families. <3
