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Have Legal Questions About Surrogacy In Kent? Contact Our firm today. Contact Us Today For Help

At Christina T. Sherman, PLLC, our Kent surrogacy lawyer is skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable. We are proud to be the premier law firm for family formation in the region. Our practice is focused exclusively on issues of adoption, IVF and surrogacy. No matter your situation, we are here as a resource. Do you have any specific questions about surrogacy? We can help. Contact us today for a completely confidential, no-obligation case review with a Kent surrogacy lawyer.

Understanding Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a reproductive option that allows people or couples to have a child through the assistance of a surrogate mother. It is an alternative for those who face challenges with fertility. Broadly speaking, surrogacy arrangements fit into two categories:

Traditional: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother provides her egg. She is the biological mother of the child. Her egg is fertilized using sperm from the intended father or a donor. Traditional surrogacy is now the less common option.
Gestational: In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries an embryo created via IVF using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors. The surrogate has no biological/genetic tie to the baby. Instead, she acts solely as the gestational carrier.

What To Know About Surrogacy Laws In Washington

Preparing for the surrogacy process in Kent or elsewhere in King County? The arrangement will be regulated by Washington state law. Notably, RCW 26.26A.710 sets key standards that a surrogacy agreement must satisfy. Here are important things you should know about the surrogacy laws:

You can enter a compensated surrogacy agreement: Surrogacy laws vary considerably from state to state. Washington is one of the jurisdictions that now allows for compensated surrogacy. The law, which took effect in 2019, marked a significant shift from previous statutes that only allowed altruistic surrogacy.
Residency/medical consultation standard: Washington does not impose a strict residency requirement for intended parents in surrogacy agreements. You can use a Washington surrogacy agreement if at least one party is a resident of the state or at least one pregnancy consultation occurs in the state.
Legal and medical requirements for the surrogate: Surrogates in Washington state must meet certain health and safety standards, including undergoing thorough medical evaluations and psychological screenings. These requirements are designed to ensure that the surrogate is physically and mentally prepared. Notably, the surrogate mother must have had at least one previous successful pregnancy.
The drafting of a surrogacy agreement (attorney): In Washington, a well-drafted surrogacy agreement is essential to define the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of all parties involved. The agreement must cover all aspects of the surrogacy – from financial compensation to medical expenses to the legal rights concerning the child.
All parties require independent legal counsel: The law in Kent requires that all parties involved in a surrogacy agreement must have independent legal counsel. The intended parties should cover the cost of the surrogate mother’s independent attorney.

An Overview Of How Surrogacy Process In Kent Works

We are committed to helping clients navigate the surrogacy process in the most straightforward, low-stress manner. Here is an overview of how the surrogacy process works in Kent:

The Planning (Consultation): Planning comes first. We are prepared to sit down with you, understand your goals, and help you develop the most effective family formation plan.
Drafting a Surrogacy Agreement: The surrogacy contract is the foundation of the arrangement. Our Kent surrogacy lawyer can draft a detailed agreement.
Negotiation/Review: After an agreement is in place, there should be a review, and if needed, negotiation, process.
Finalization of the Contract: A surrogacy agreement needs to be signed and finalized. Once it is finalized, it becomes legally binding in Washington State.
Medical Care and Monitoring: Once the contract is in place, medical procedures such as IVF and embryo transfer can move forward. The pregnancy should be monitored carefully.

How Kent Surrogacy Lawyer Christina T. Sherman Can Help

Are you preparing to go through the surrogacy process in Kent? It is normal to have a ton of questions about your rights, your options, and what comes next. As an Academy Fellow in the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), our founding attorney Christina T. Sherman has dedicated her career to helping people build and grow their families. We have a proven record of success stories and client reviews across a full range of family formation cases, including surrogacy. If you have any questions about surrogacy in King County, our Kent family formation lawyer is standing by, ready to help you find the best path forward.

Surrogacy In Kent: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a surrogacy contract required?
Yes. The surrogacy agreement (surrogacy contract) is the foundation of your rights and responsibilities. You need a well-drafted surrogacy agreement in order to move forward with the process in Washington state. A Kent, Contact our firm today, family formation attorney can help.

Do you have to be married to become a parent through surrogacy in Washington?
No. Washington state has among the most “open” surrogacy laws in the entire country. You do not have to be married to use surrogacy in Kent. Our state allows both married and unmarried people or unmarried couples to become parents through surrogacy.

Can any woman serve as a surrogate in Kent?
No. Under the law, not any woman in Kent is automatically eligible to serve as a surrogate. Surrogates in Washington must meet specific legal and medical criteria to ensure they are physically and emotionally prepared for the responsibilities of surrogacy. A lawyer can help.

Contact Our Kent, Washington, Surrogacy Attorney For A Confidential Case Review

At Christina T. Sherman, PLLC, our Kent surrogacy lawyer is standing by, ready to guide you through the complexities of the family formation process. If you have questions about surrogacy, we are here to help. Contact us now to set up your fully confidential, no-obligation initial case review. Our firm handles surrogacy matters in Kent, King County, and throughout the whole area.