New Orleans Attorneys Offer Legal Assistance in Building Families

As the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has advanced, countless couples have been able to achieve their family-building dreams. However, new ART procedures that use third parties, such as egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy, have raised a number of legal issues.

In order to protect the rights of those involved in one of these types of assisted reproduction techniques, a new field of law has developed. Attorneys are now specializing in Family Building Law and Reproductive Technology Law.

New Orleans Law Practices

Before you begin an assisted reproduction procedure that involves a third party, it is a good idea to consult with a reproductive law attorney. These lawyers can draw up contracts that protect your rights, as well as those of the surrogate or egg donor.

The following reproductive law attorney is a member of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, and works with clients from New Orleans:

• Amy Kern

Surrogacy in Louisiana

According to Louisiana law, surrogacy agreements for traditional surrogacy cases, in which the surrogate is inseminated with sperm but uses her own eggs, are considered unenforceable and against public policy.

However, Louisiana law does not mention the legality of surrogacy agreements for gestational surrogacy, a type of surrogacy in which the surrogate is implanted with an embryo that does not include her own eggs. Because there is no law prohibiting gestational surrogacy, it is recommended you talk with a reproductive law attorney before you begin this procedure.

Your reproductive law attorney can draw up a surrogacy agreement that clarifies the custody of the child, as well as the fee for the process. This can include medical and living expenses for the surrogate.

Adoption

If you are considering an adoption, either domestically or internationally, an adoption lawyer can help you through this process. Your adoption lawyer will help you understand how the state adoption laws pertain to your situation, and will also draw up a post-adoption agreement. This will clarify the role the birth parents will play in the child’s life.