Assisted Reproduction goes by various names. You may hear it referred to as ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology), Third Party Reproduction, or Third Party Fertility. It is still a relatively new area of law that remains unsettled in many states, and the laws are constantly changing, as are science and technology. Laws can vary widely from state to state, and even last year’s information may not be accurate. It is important to hire an attorney who has experience with assisted reproduction contracts and parentage actions for surrogates, who will listen to your concerns, and guide you through the process. Joni Franklin can guide you through the ART laws in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, and serves as an expert resource in the Midwest for all ART law issues.

In today’s world, families are formed in different and amazing ways, and the area of Assisted Reproductive Technology Law affords Intended Parents the ability to create and realize the reality of their own expanded family to include genetic children, where such an idea was previously thought impossible. Let us guide and support you through the exciting changes your family is exploring.

There are many issues to consider when contemplating a surrogacy arrangement, sperm, egg, or embryo donation, and it is important that everyone involved with such agreements understands their individual rights and responsibilities. Make sure you consult with an attorney knowledgeable about these contracts, and the specific State laws that will apply to your ART agreement(s). 

Surrogacy provides some of the best options for fertility-challenged families of all kinds, including single parents, heterosexual parents, or same-sex parents. While the development of law in this area is still evolving, both intended parents and gestational carriers benefit from these protections. Gestational Surrogacy arrangements are legal and recognized in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, the Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers (or Gestational Surrogate) must be represented by separate attorneys in all of these states. We create gestational carrier contracts, which are comprehensive and understandable. We walk our clients through each detail of the legal process and make sure they have considered all possible issues, as well as the costs. In this extremely personalized process, Franklin Law Office provides highly personalized service, including continuous contact with our clients at all stages of the surrogacy journey. 

It is vital to make sure that all legal protections are in place so that Intended Parents and Surrogates can experience the surrogacy process without any unnecessary conflicts, and with all Parties being on the same page regarding all aspects of the gestational carrier agreement. Gestational Carriers and Intended Parents need to ensure that their families are protected in case any issues come up during the pregnancy, delivery, or post-partum care and that they are set up to build trust and connection. 

In addition to being legally necessary, contracts between Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers serve as a great tool to discuss the many issues which may arise during a surrogacy relationship and the journey as a whole.

Once you have an established pregnancy, depending upon the state in which the Surrogate will give birth, Franklin Law Office will walk you through each and every step of the parentage establishment process. It is extremely important to have an experienced and knowledgeable ART attorney to achieve this, as the establishment of Intended Parents' rights is distinctly different from that of a typical parentage action or adoption. Franklin Law Office can provide such guidance in all three of these states and has successfully established the parentage for Intended Parents throughout the United States, and from over twenty-five (25) countries from around the globe.

Joni has also represented many, many Intended Parents and Surrogates from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri in promoting their selfless journeys to assist Intended Parents in expanding their forever families through surrogacy agreements.

We are available throughout the journey, no matter what your role is, for advice, support and to celebrate the birth of the new family member, which is the absolute highlight of our practice. 

Surrogacy is an intimate process that requires a sensitive, caring, understanding, and comprehensive approach. Joni makes sure you understand all aspects of the contract you are entering into, including all the risks and expectations, and she works to take the conflict out of the process so that you can feel secure in your decisions throughout the legal process.

Our goal is to provide a highly personalized, communicative, and mutually rewarding legal experience for all of our ART clients. Baby pictures are the best part of our day, each and every day, and knowing that we assist in growing families through every legal phase of a surrogacy journey. 

Egg donation is being used by many families today, and there are a wealth of egg donor agencies throughout the United States. We are proud to work with many of these agencies. Egg donors in general are under the age of 35, and they donate healthy eggs using an egg retrieval process involving the hormonal stimulation of the ovaries. An extensive evaluation and screening of each potential egg donor is of vital importance, whether your potential donor is known or is anonymous. This extensive screening serves to protect all parties involved (including the donor, the recipient, and the resulting children). Assisted reproduction contracts between egg donors and recipients must be negotiated prior to starting any egg donation and retrieval program.

Franklin Law Office routinely drafts contracts for ovum donation to meet the individualized needs of each of our clients’ situations in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, as all three states have laws favorable to egg donation agreements. We can create an agreement tailored to your needs, and compliant with the applicable state law. We also review contracts on behalf of egg donors in the same States and work with both agency agreements involving anonymous donors and private arrangements with known and unknown donors.

Many single women and same-sex couples make use of known sperm donors in creating their families. Additionally, some heterosexual couples find themselves in need of sperm donation in order to complete their forever families as well. It is important for all persons involved to understand the clear expectations of the future relationship, or lack thereof, prior to the sperm donation. A donor agreement explicitly defines each party’s rights and obligations, and it addresses legal issues such as parental rights, confidentiality, future contact, medical expenses, and the rights of the child.

Franklin Law Office can assist you with such agreements in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, as all three states have laws favorable to sperm donation agreements. We can create an agreement tailored to your needs, and compliant with the applicable state law. We also review contracts on behalf of sperm donors in the same States and work with both agency agreements involving anonymous donors and private arrangements with known and unknown donors.

Many couples who have used IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) or other assisted reproduction methods to create their families have additional embryos they do not plan to use. Some families choose to donate these embryos to others who are trying to conceive. This is often a wonderful and fulfilling experience for both the donors and the recipients, as both sides are looking for a meaningful way to utilize the unused and fully formed embryos.

Franklin Law Office can assist you with such agreements in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, as all three states legally allow such agreements. As a Recipient, we can create an agreement tailored to your needs, negotiate the terms, and assure compliance with applicable state law. We also review contracts on behalf of embryo donors in the same States and work with both agency agreements involving anonymous donors and private arrangements with known and unknown donors.

To learn more about the legal aspects of egg, sperm, or embryo donation and how a family formation or an ART attorney can help, We welcome you to contact Franklin Law Office to schedule a consultation.

Attorney: Joni J. Franklin