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FAQs
Yes, in fact gay couples are a large percentage of our past and current clients.
It is ideal that you to come to the United States 1-2 times (for the creation of the embryos at the IVF Clinic and the eventual delivery of the child). However, in most cases IPs visit more often as they prefer to be more involved with the process. If you have limitations on your ability to travel to California, please contact us.
We are some of the most experienced in the industry and have the legal expertise.
When you are considering becoming a surrogate mother, there is no substitute for the security of knowing an agency has the benefit of working with as many surrogate mothers (>1500)
We are real people with real answers to your questions based upon years of experience.
Our lawyers are the most experienced in the field. We currently handle over 8% of all surrogacy cases in the United States.
We are a full service agency and have or source all the needed components.
Our founders include a fertility law expert, and a Doctor of Reproductive Sciences.
As a general rule, we advise international intended parents to plan on returning home after 2-4 weeks, to allow ample time for any DNA testing, court proceedings, the issuance of any birth certificates and the application for any visas and/or passports. L&L will guide you through this process.
If your schedule will not permit this, please contact us.
A surrogate is a woman who agrees to carry a pregnancy for another person or couple, called the intended parent(s). There are two types of surrogates, a gestational surrogate and a traditional surrogate. The former is by far the most common.
Gestational surrogate: (also called a gestational carrier [GC], uterine carrier, or carrier): An individual whose uterus (prepared hormonally for pregnancy) is used for embryos created by the intended parents. The gestational surrogate has no genetic link to the baby she is carrying because she does not use her eggs.
Traditional Surrogacy: A woman inseminated with sperm for the purpose of conceiving for an intended recipient (intended parents). The surrogate in this scenario has a genetic and biological link to the baby she carries, since her egg is used.
The states of California and Nevada have a legal structure for obtaining a legal document called a pre-birth order (PBO). Under a PBO the intended parents names are put on the original birth certificate.
Because of a legal principle known as jus soli, children who are born in the United States are automatically entitled to for U.S.citizenship and U.S. passports, regardless of the citizenship of their intended parents. As a result, most intended parents who pursue surrogacy in the United States are able to return home with their children without first obtaining a passport from their native country.
Nevertheless, some international intended parents may choose to or be required to obtain either passports or temporary visas for their children at a local consulate in the United States in order to return home after the birth. If you have any additional questions about this, you may consult with Legacy Love´s Chief Counsel, Frederick Gaston.
Adoption is a fine choice for many people. However, surrogacy has a number of practical and medical advantages. First, when egg and/or sperm from the intended parents are used, there can be an actual genetic relationship to the child. Second, unlike in most adoptions, intended parents closely monitor the health and progress of the pregnancy and birth. The carrier’s obligations and compensation are governed by contract, which provides a distinct measure of security to all involved. Last, in contrast with adoption, the carrier in a surrogacy will have no parental rights once the baby is born.
Yes. Medical and psychological screening is important to our success.
There are two ways to arrange a surrogacy. One is to make contact with all the professionals and services needed (surrogacy agency, IVF clinic, egg and sperm banks, fertility lawyer, etc) and coordinate the process. A second is to contract Legacy Love to take care of all the details. Due to our complete nature, it is cheaper and faster to use Legacy Love.
It is virtually impossible for a gestational carrier to acquire legal custody after the birth. The surrogate has no genetic relation to the child. In states where a pre-birth order can be obtained, the intended parents appear on the original birth certificate. At other times, a step-parent adoption takes place. L&L conducts surrogacies only in states favorable to such arrangements, with all applicable legal agreements drafted and signed before fertilization and implantation take place.
Note: In the Baby M case the mother was genetically related to the child and was a traditional surrogate and not a gestational surrogate. Traditionally surrogacy is not typically done and the Baby M case may be part of the reason most agencies and Intended Parents use gestational surrogacy.
Intended parents may live anywhere in the world, and L&L will work with intended parents from all US states and a number of countries overseas. California, where L&L is based, is the best place (legal system) in the world for surrogacy, and represents the best surrogacy options on the globe. Surrogacy is also legal and favored in the states of Nevada and Illinois, where we have partner agencies.
L&L is the administrator of a trust account that is put in place after your contract is signed. Third party escrow companies are also sometimes used.
Financial issues between you and your intended parents(s) are managed by Legacy Love attorneys.
Once you are pregnant money will be paid monthly from money placed in escrow.
We take away the burden of having to deal with financial issues between you and your couple.
You are free to focus on the pregnancy and the relationship with your couple.
The profile of the typical surrogate is a married (or in a committed relationship) woman who has her own children. She wants to give the gift of family to those who need help. Surrogates become surrogates more for altruistic reasons than for financial gain. These women often say they also enjoy being pregnant.Her family and friends are very supportive of her choice to be a carrier.
Legacy Love finds women who want to be surrogates through a number of channels. Most of our current surrogates came though word of mouth and we have a number of repeat (experienced) surrogates. We also find women wanting to be surrogates though marketing efforts. Regardless of source, all surrogates are medically and psychologically screened per CDC and FDA rules.
L&L is the administrator of a trust account that is put in place after your contract is signed. Third party escrow companies are also sometimes used.
Financial issues between you and your intended parents(s) are managed by Legacy Love attorneys.
Once you are pregnant money will be paid monthly from money placed in escrow.
We take away the burden of having to deal with financial issues between you and your couple.
You are free to focus on the pregnancy and the relationship with your couple.
The profile of the typical surrogate is a married (or in a committed relationship) woman who has her own children. She wants to give the gift of family to those who need help. Surrogates become surrogates more for altruistic reasons than for financial gain. These women often say they also enjoy being pregnant.Her family and friends are very supportive of her choice to be a carrier.
Legacy Love finds women who want to be surrogates through a number of channels. Most of our current surrogates came though word of mouth and we have a number of repeat (experienced) surrogates. We also find women wanting to be surrogates though marketing efforts. Regardless of source, all surrogates are medically and psychologically screened per CDC and FDA rules.
Yes, Intended Parents will want to be certain that the surrogate carrying their new family member does not have medical or psychological problems. It is also for your health that physicians are certain being pregnant will not pose a health risk to you. A simple psychological examination will be required in addition to medical screening. The Intended Parents will pay for the cost of these examinations.
The choice of medical services (typically IVF clinic) is that of the intended parents. You can work with our preferred providers, or we can find one near your surrogate or you. Legacy Love has a preferred providers across California and other states. We also have select partners in other countries.
Legacy Love´s team has worked with over 2000 surrogates (as of 2014) from start to birth and we have seen some high risk situations. We have the medical experts to assist with any biological occurrence. However, be assures your health is the highest priority for all involved with your surrogacy.
We generally advise that one-year is needed from the time you contract with Legacy Love to having your baby in your arms. However, there are a number of variables involved that can make the time shorter or longer. We normally have surrogates pre-screened and ready to be synchronized. However, you might want to choose a surrogate from another agency and this could take extra time. If more than one IVF cycle is necessary, this too can add to the total time needed.
Yes, we are located in lovely downtown San Diego in the Gas Lamp district. If you would like an appointment with any of our specialists (legal, medical, etc.), that can be arranged during your visit.
The fee structure, like the time frame, varies for each case. For example, the use of an egg donor will cost more than the use of the intended mother’s egg. Also, some carriers have greater expenses than others and repeated cycles and fees for IVF procedures vary among facilities. Depending on where the carrier lives, there may be travel costs to consider. An average total of $110,000 to $150,000 would be reasonable to project for intended parents considering surrogacy. If an altruistic ( friend or relative) surrogate is available, this amount will be less.
We are happy to provide cost breakdowns and estimates for each part of the process.
In some cases, IVF procedures are covered. Separate medical insurance is often purchased for the carrier as part of the fee.
Once an agreement is made with your intended parent(s), money is deposited in escrow before the process begins. This assures you will be paid. L&L holds trust funds sufficient to cover your fees and expenses throughout the pregnancy.
Of course! We work with Intended Parents of all backgrounds—single individuals, same-sex couples, and heterosexual couples. We have helped many single Intended Parents build families through surrogacy. In fact, non-heterosexual couples comprise a large part of our business.
Over 95% of our couples will ultimately go home with a baby thanks to the wonderful help a surrogate mother.
There are two types of surrogacy—gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy. In a gestational surrogacy arrangement, Intended Parents create embryos through in vitro fertilization. One or more of these embryos is implanted in a surrogate (gestational carrier), who carries the child or children to term. This surrogate has no genetic relationship to the child/children. Gestational surrogacy is the vast majority of modern surrogacy arrangements. By contrast, traditional surrogates typically become pregnant through artificial insemination, and have a genetic connection to the child or children they carry for their Intended Parents.
Absolutely yes, giving the gift of family of one of the greatest things you can do. L&L is here to ensure the process goes as planned and all involved enjoy the experience. Why not help dreams come true? If you want to become a surrogate contact Us Contact@legacylove.us
We have built relationships with the best IVF clinics across the country and in other countries. These relationships allow you to take advantage of special pricing packages we have negotiated. However, the decision of which fertility clinic to use is entirely the decision of the Intended Parents. L&L will work with any fertility clinic that the Intended Parents choose. Legacy Love does have well-established preferred IVF clinics with excellent track records.
Of course! Legacy Love has worked with and continues to work with Intended Parents of all backgrounds: single individuals, same-sex couples, and heterosexual couples. We have helped many single Intended Parents build families through surrogacy.
Frozen embryos are stored at your IVF clinic. If your family is complete, you will be advised on your options for the future of your embryos. If you choose to move your embryos, your IVF center will assist you in that process. Of course, you may use the cryopreserved embryos in a future surrogacy if you choose. L&L can assist you with this process.
It does not matter where you the Intended Parent resides. As long surrogacy is legal in your surrogate mother’s state, the state where your baby will be born, there are no issues. California is the preferred location for surrogate births. Nevada and Illinois are also good venues.
Yes, if your baby is born in California.
California law allows a pre-birth order (Called a PBO) to be issued by the courts, which instructs the hospital to put the Intended Parents´ names on the birth certificate. Typically Legacy Love´s attorneys, acting on behalf of you (Intended Parents), usually starts the work for the pre-birth order in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy so that the order is granted before the birth of your baby.