Surrogacy solicitors in the UK

Using surrogacy to build a family is becoming more common.

Those engaging in surrogacy here in the UK are free to make arrangements between themselves, but sadly this approach can sometimes go wrong. Without clear guidelines or a legal document or clinic intervention, the whole surrogacy process can become very complicated. There are specific rules and processes that everybody involved in surrogacy arrangements must be aware of and stringently adhere to.

Before entering into surrogacy, it is advisable to do as much research as possible to help you fully understand what to expect and the complexities that can be involved. Part of this research should be to speak with a legal professional, or surrogacy lawyer.

Getting legal advise during the early stages of the prevent not only costly (financially) mistakes, but also mistakes that can cause a lot of emotional distress.

Remember, no matter whether the intended parent(s) are a heterosexual couple, same sex couple or a single individual, unforeseen issues can arise during the surrogacy process.

Our lawyers can provide legal advice surrounding surrogacy in the UK, as well as international surrogacy.

Although intended parents and surrogate can record how they want the arrangement to work in a surrogacy agreement, surrogacy agreements are not enforceable by UK law. Even if you have a signed document with your surrogate and have paid their expenses.

If you use a surrogate, they will be the child’s legal parent at birth.

If the surrogate is married or in a civil partnership, their spouse or civil partner will be the child’s second parent at birth – this is not the case if they did not give their permission.

Legal parenthood can be transferred by parental order or adoption after the child is born.

At Stowe Family Law, we have over 45 offices throughout the UK. Our family law solicitors can work with you throughout the surrogacy journey to ensure that all parties involved get the desired outcome.