Couples who hope to expand or start a family might turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) for any number of reasons. Reproductive technology techniques can make a couple’s dreams become reality through processes such as egg donation. For those unfamiliar with egg donation, however, the path to parenthood can seem complex and intimidating, and donation typically requires contracts that affect the rights of parents and donors.
A knowledgeable Ohio egg donation lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options concerning assisted reproductive technology, and how the egg donation process works. Reach out today to learn how TR Law Offices can help you in your journey.
Egg donation is a process involving a donor providing her eggs to another individual. The recipient can then use the eggs to conceive a child through assisted reproductive technology. The recipient may carry the baby herself, or use a gestational surrogate when needed. Egg donors typically take medications that promote egg development, then undergo a procedure to remove multiple eggs from the ovaries. Donated eggs, once collected, could be frozen for future use, or used immediately for the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. Due to the highly personal nature of the egg donation process, it is important for all individuals involved to understand their legal rights and protections.
Under Section 3111.97 of the Ohio Revised Code, a woman who gives birth to a child born as a result of a donated egg shall be treated as the natural mother of the child. Egg donors typically do not hold parental rights over the child born to the gestational mother. The spouse of the mother, likewise, is presumed to be the other parent of the child upon birth. Individuals and couples seeking egg donation to create their family should engage in a written contract defining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. This can clear up confusion later and avoid complicated legal issues if any party should change their mind. A well-drafted donor agreement can do the following:
Individuals and couples starting the egg donation journey are often doing so for the first time, and may not know what to expect. A skilled egg donation attorney will know how to create and review donor agreements in Ohio that protect the rights of future parents.
Egg donation might seem like a straightforward exchange, but it can impact legal rights and create future issues if agreements are not reached at the outset of the process. Attorney Robins has experience in crafting or reviewing egg donation contracts and can analyze a client’s legal options and prepare couples for parenthood without the legal hurdles or disputes that might come if the terms are not set in stone.
Thanks to scientific advances and evolving legal protections, hopeful parents can potentially conceive a child through egg donation. As donors are involved, parentage rights must be made clear at the beginning of the process. An Ohio egg donation lawyer can help donors or recipients establish their legal rights before any medical procedure occurs. Call our experienced attorney from TR Law Offices today to schedule your consultation.
