Surrogacy & A.R.T.

Surrogacy & A.R.T.

There’s more than one way to start a family.

As social progress and technological innovation have become defining characteristics of modern culture, alternate family-building options have become increasingly accessible to a wide variety of hopeful parents. One route that many partners are turning to is surrogacy.

Surrogacy can be a beautiful way to start or grow your family. We believe in the beauty of parenthood and are passionate about helping to create families. That’s why we want to help you understand how surrogacy works and teach you a few ways a law professional like Gillespie Law Group, LLC can be a vital part of the process.

To learn how we can help in your surrogacy process, call us at 312-332-6339 at any time.

What is Surrogacy?

If you’re like most people, you have a kind-of, maybe, some small idea of what surrogacy actually is. You know it involves having a baby with the help of technology. You know it’s not the same as a traditional biological child. You know there’s a third party involved.

But as to how all of that comes together to create a new family? Well, that’s a bit of a blur.

First, let’s define some important terms that come up often in the surrogacy process but aren’t too common in everyday life. Then, we’ll look at a quick overview of the process and how an attorney can serve you during it.

The first term you should know in surrogacy is “intended parent.” The intended parent is the person who, at the end of the process, will become the parent of the newborn baby.

Next, there’s the “surrogate.” This one may seem obvious. The surrogate, or gestational carrier, is the woman carrying the child for the intended parents.

This one is important. When you are considering surrogacy, there are two primary types, which are known as gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s eggs are used, which makes her the biological mother of the child. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no biological connection to the baby she is carrying for the intended parents. Gestational surrogacy is much more common today, and there are many surrogacy programs that will only offer gestational surrogacy.

Still a bit confused on what this means? That’s okay. It’s normal to find this choice confusing. We would be happy to have a conversation with you and help you understand the different types of surrogacy in Illinois.

How Does Surrogacy Work?

The surrogacy process is different depending on the type of surrogacy you choose and your unique situation. Generally speaking, there are several steps that each surrogacy process will follow.

  • Step 1: Choose a surrogacy program. First, you will need to find and decide to work with a surrogacy specialist. There are many different surrogacy programs and agencies. Take your time and research each one carefully. The right professional for you could depend on your type of surrogacy, budget or other personal preferences. If you need guidance on what to look for, contact us at any time. We would be happy to put our experienced understanding of surrogacy to use to support you.
  • Step 2: Match with a surrogacy partner and sign contracts. Once you have chosen a professional to work with, you will work with your specialists to find a match. Finding the right surrogacy opportunity is vital to a successful surrogacy process. Your specialist can present you with available situations to choose from. This matching service is one of the most important things a surrogacy program will provide. Or, if you already know who you would like your gestational carrier to be, you could simply contact an attorney (like us) who specializes in surrogacy agreements. These legal contracts are the foundation of the surrogacy process. A surrogacy contract sets important terms and is legally binding.
  • Step 3: Complete the medical surrogacy process. Once this document has been created, reviewed and signed by both the surrogate and intended parents and their independent attorneys, the medical procedures can begin. The gestational carrier will work closely with the intended parents’ chosen fertility clinic to take a variety of medications that will prepare her body for the embryo transfer. Once the embryo transfer is complete and a healthy heartbeat is detected, intended parents will begin fulfilling any financial obligations that are included in the surrogacy contract while also working with an attorney to establish their legal parental rights over the baby.
  • Step 4: Celebrate the start of your new family! Finally, of course, is the moment this whole process is for: giving birth and holding your baby for the first time. This moment — when a family is formed — is beautiful. It’s why we work so hard every day for hopeful parents like you.

Surrogacy in Illinois

Illinois is a surrogacy-friendly state and is a leader in surrogacy-related matters in the United States. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act has been in effect since 2005, which provides protection for surrogates, intended parents and other parties involved in the process.

We think Illinois surrogacy is an amazing way to start a family. Over the years, we’ve helped many intended parents and surrogates navigate surrogacy in Illinois. In order to get the most out of Illinois’ surrogacy-friendly laws, you’ll need to work with an expert attorney.

Gamete Donation

Gamete donation is tangentially related to the surrogacy process. Like surrogacy, gamete donation, which is the donation of eggs or sperm for others to use in reproduction, requires a written contract in order to be legal. In an effort to support hopeful parents in the process of starting a family, we both write and review gamete donation contracts. Working with a legal professional like the Gillespie Law Group on your gamete donation contract is the best way to be confident in the process.

How an Attorney Can Help You During Surrogacy in Illinois

We bring our acquired experience to the table for your benefit. We have more than 25 years of experience in adoption-related legal matters, and we are certified to handle surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cases through the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys . This is a certification that not all adoption attorneys have in this complicated area of the law.

Our office is equipped to handle a variety of tasks throughout the surrogacy process. We can write and review surrogacy contracts, help intended parents establish their legal parental rights and navigate any complications that might arise during the process.

We believe in the importance of family and work tirelessly to help create families. Whether it’s infant adoption, foster care or surrogacy in Illinois, we know how important this is to you, and we will work to make it happen.

Contact Us Today

Are you prepared to take the next step in the surrogacy process? Are you already working with an Illinois surrogacy agency and need an attorney to write and review a contract? Do you still have more questions about whether or not surrogacy is right for you?

If you answer “yes” to any of those questions, we’d love to talk. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ve helped create families for more than 25 years, and we would be honored to play a part in your family’s story.