I will assist you as an intended parent in finding just the right gestational carrier/surrogate. I carefully recruit gestational carriers/surrogates (referred to as "surrogates"), and then match you with the person that best fits what is important to you and to the surrogate. Extensive applications are obtained from all prospective surrogates, which are carefully reviewed prior to matching. All surrogates are also interviewed prior to any meeting being scheduled between the surrogate and the intended parent or parents, and background checks are done.
In the end, it is, of course, ultimately the parties' decision to work together. As intended parents, you have the option of choosing a surrogate with whom you feel comfortable. As a surrogate, you too have the option to work with the intended parents you feel the most comfortable with. If you do not wish to proceed with any party you meet, my office will continue to help you find the right match for you.
My office will coordinate all aspects of the arrangement once you have found your match, and will ensure that all the appropriate psychological and medical screening is done and legal agreements are in place prior to any medical procedure to achieve the pregnancy. Once you have been matched and I have submitted the surrogate's information to your physician's office, I will assist you and your surrogate with the screening process to ensure that it proceeds smoothly.
Within approximately two weeks after you have been matched, I will prepare all of the necessary legal agreements, including egg donor agreements, sperm donor agreements, and embryo donation agreements. I will advise parties about the relevant state laws and the required legal proceedings in the relevant state. I will answer any questions that you may have about legal issues surrounding these arrangements to make sure that you understand all of the provisions of the agreement. These agreements are personalized for each situation. Once the agreement is acceptable to you, it will be reviewed by the other party's attorney experienced in the area of reproductive law. This will ensure that they receive adequate legal advice and understand all of the legal issues involved. If they have requested changes to the agreement, I will review those with you so that the agreement will be acceptable to all parties.
Egg retrieval, IVF (in vitro fertilization) and embryo transfer will be performed by reputable facility chosen by the intended parents. I have working relationships with many reputable IVF centers throughout the country. I work with a network of other attorneys throughout the country, as well as with psychologists, social workers, and physicians to ensure a smooth journey from start to end of any arrangement.
My office will also obtain a court order for your names to be on the birth certificate when the time comes, or will refer you to a reputable attorney in the appropriate state to obtain the same pre or post birth order, or will lead you through a step-parent adoption if applicable.
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"Meryl made what seemed to be a daunting process simple and easy. I will never be able to thank her enough for guiding me through this."
MMS in Bethesda, MD
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