The legal steps in a surrogacy arrangement protect your growing family from the very beginning. For intended parents in Maryland, having experienced legal counsel means every agreement, every document, and every court proceeding is handled with care and precision so you can focus on what matters most.

Meryl B. Rosenberg, Esq. provides dedicated legal services to intended parents and to surrogates throughout Maryland, from the earliest stages of planning through the final recognition of parentage. Meryl has guided intended parents and surrogates through this process since 1993, and brings clarity and calm to every step.

Surrogacy Agreements for Intended Parents

Your gestational surrogacy agreement is the legal cornerstone of your arrangement. It defines the rights and responsibilities of the intended parents and the gestational surrogate, addresses compensation and expenses, outlines medical decision-making protocols, and establishes the path to parentage.

Ensuring that all rights and duties are clearly defined consistent with relevant law before medical procedures begin is essential in every case. Meryl drafts agreements that are comprehensive, personalized, and specific to the applicable law. Every agreement is reviewed by the surrogate's independent attorney together with their client before being finalized and signed by all parties. .

Parentage Judgments for Intended Parents in Maryland

In Maryland, the parentage court process results in a judgment of parentage that is typically obtained before the baby is born — ensuring that intended parents are legally recognized from the moment of delivery, with their names entered on the original birth certificate. Depending on the specifics of each arrangement, the judgment may be obtained post-birth. Meryl advises intended parents on the legal  process that applies to their situation and handles all necessary court proceedings .

Donor Agreements

When your family building involves an egg donor, sperm donor, or embryo donor, a carefully drafted donor agreement is essential. These agreements define each party's rights and intentions and are tailored to applicable law. Meryl drafts or negotiates egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation agreements for intended parents or donors, working with both identified and non-identified donors.

IVF Clinic and Agency Document Review

Intended parents working with IVF clinics or surrogacy agencies will encounter a range of informed consent documents, agreements, and forms throughout the process. Meryl reviews these with her clients to ensure that nothing is overlooked, what you are agreeing to and consenting to is clear, and that your rights are protected before you sign any relevant document. This service is available to clients worldwide — regardless of where the agency or clinic is located.

Post-Birth Parental Rights, Confirmatory Adoption, Step and Second-Parent Adoptions

In some arrangements, a post-birth court proceeding is required or advisable to ensure that both parents are fully recognized under Maryland law. This is not an  adoption in any traditional sense at all — it is a confirmation of parental rights of any intended parent after birth. Please ask Meryl if this is recommended in your case. Meryl also handles step-parent and second-parent adoptions for situations where they are the appropriate legal pathway. She advises clients on which process applies to their specific family structure and arrangement.

Virginia Post-Birth Administrative Process

When a gestational surrogate delivers in Virginia, additional steps are required to ensure the intended parents are properly recognized on the birth certificate. Meryl assists with the Virginia post-birth administrative process to ensure the birth certificate is issued correctly following birth.

International Intended Parents

International intended parents pursuing surrogacy in the United States face a distinct set of legal considerations, including citizenship for their child, parentage recognition in their home country, and matching requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Maryland is a welcoming state for international intended parents, and Meryl brings specific experience advising overseas clients on what must be addressed from the very start of the family building journey.