Families who welcome a new baby into the world through assisted reproductive technology (ART) are in for an exciting journey, but there are important steps to take before the baby is born. With careful legal planning, you can secure your parental rights and avoid any complications or confusion after the birth.

Illinois allows for something called pre-birth registration, which ensures your name will appear on the birth certificate. A compassionate ART attorney can help you understand your rights and offer ways to protect your growing family. Contact an Illinois pre-birth registration lawyer today to learn more.

When Are Pre-Birth Orders Necessary in Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is not regulated at the federal level, so it is down to each state to set out rules and regulations for how parental rights will work in this situation. Illinois has developed a reputation as being favorable for surrogacy, in part because it allows for pre-birth registration.

These orders are used to register the legal interests of the new parents before the child is born. It simplifies the process of placing their names on the child’s birth certificate at birth, instead of dealing with any confusion or disputes that might arise afterward.

What matters the most is resolving these issues before the baby is born. Without taking the necessary steps beforehand, the surrogate mother could find herself with parental rights to the child. This makes it critical to complete this process before the child is born.

Agreements for surrogacy formalize the relationship, but these orders give hospital staff and other parties notice of the rights of intended parents. In addition to ensuring their name is placed on the birth certificate, this can help with avoiding disputes or legal challenges after delivery.

Understanding the Legal Requirements in Illinois

Illinois provides a process for surrogacy designed to protect all of the interested parties. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act spells out the requirements that must be met by intended parents and surrogates alike. This includes a path for pre-birth registration, allowing the intended parents to have their names listed on the birth certificate.

This process is straightforward although there is plenty of paperwork that goes into this process, with a signed agreement being vital.

How an Attorney Can Help with Pre-Birth Registration

For intended parents in Illinois, there are many reasons to rely on the guidance of a pre-birth registration attorney. This starts with answering any questions you may have. Most people are unfamiliar with the legal requirements that come with being formally recognized as intended parents before a baby is even born. Attorney Robins can help you understand your rights and how to protect them.

Arguably the most important thing your legal representative can do is draft the legally binding agreement. This contract does more than confirm the surrogacy arrangement: it can also include terms regarding pre-birth registration, which requires some cooperation from the surrogate.

Talk to a Pre-Birth Registration Attorney in Illinois to Plan Ahead for Your Future

If you are going through the surrogacy process, there are options for protecting your rights before the baby is even born. We recommend you leave nothing to chance: formalize your rights in writing to prevent uncomfortable disputes later.

You deserve legal counsel that not only understands all the intricate details involved but also cares about your rights as a parent. Reach out to an Illinois pre-birth registration lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options during a private consultation.