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08 Apr 2020 International Intended Parents: COVID-19 Travel Advice for US Surrogacy, Birth

Posted at 12:46h in Assisted Reproductive Technology, Coronavirus, Covid-19 Videos, Foreign Surrogacy, IFLG, Intended Parents, International Surrogacy, Surrogacy Latest News, Videos by
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Join assisted reproductive technology attorneys Rich Vaughn and Molly O’Brien of International Fertility Law Group as they share information and advice for international intended parents planning to travel for the births of their babies via surrogacy in the United States during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Planning is key. No one becomes a parent through assisted reproduction without lots of advance planning. Now, as countries implement travel bans and airlines cancel flights, it is essential to plan as far in advance as possible. Ips should evaluate visas, ESTAs and consider any possible exceptions to travel bans, such as familial relationships. In the event intended parents are unable to travel for the birth, or are quarantined upon arrival in the U.S., temporary guardianships and safe, properly vetted foster families are available options.

Planning for the birth. Hospital delivery and labor departments have tightened restrictions on visitors in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and in some cases even spouses or birthing partners may be excluded. Check with the hospital for current policies, which may change day-to-day.

For intended parents, surrogates, donors and reproductive health professionals the COVID-19 pandemic has created a host of obstacles and complications that make the challenging road to parenthood via ART even more challenging. We hope you will take comfort in the knowledge that the virus has brought surrogacy professionals in the United States together as never before. You are not alone. We all are working together as a community, sharing answers, sharing resources, and sharing support.

Going home: Once you are here in the U.S. with your new baby, the challenges presented by COVID-19 travel restrictions and government agency closures are likely to continue. See our video here on what to plan for in bringing your baby back home. 

For more information and resources for intended parents, surrogates donors and 3rd-party matching programs coping during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, visit our multi-media library of COVID-19 information.

Find a transcript of the complete video presentation here.

 

 

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Rich Vaughn & Molly O'Brien
Rich Vaughn & Molly O'Brien
neimarkbrian@gmail.com

RICH VAUGHN, ESQ.: Attorney Rich Vaughn combined his personal passion as a father of twin boys born via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with more than 20 years of experience in business and technology law to build International Fertility Law Group. Today IFLG is one of the most successful and best-known law firms in the world focused exclusively on fertility law, helping thousands of intended parents through empathetic listening, thoughtful and compassionate guidance, and unmatched expertise. As an advocate for reproductive freedom, Rich contributes his knowledge and time to improving the understanding and practice of ART law around the world. MOLLY O'BRIEN, ESQ.: Molly O'Brien has worked in the field of assisted reproduction since 2005. In that time, she worked for an egg donation agency and a surrogacy agency, where she became familiar with all aspects of in vitro fertilization and egg donation, including the financial aspects of surrogacy. Since becoming an attorney in 2011, she has gained extensive experience in drafting and negotiating surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation and embryo donation contracts on behalf of her clients throughout the world.

Peiya Wang
PEIYA WANG（王培娅)
Paralegal （律师助理）

Peiya Wang joined IFLG as a paralegal in 2015, where she manages surrogacy, egg donation and parental establishment cases and provides translation services for many of IFLG’s international clients. Peiya received her bachelor’s degree from Beijing Technologies and Business University, where she majored in Marketing. She moved to the United States in 2012 to attend Northeast University in Boston, Massachusetts, receiving a Master of Science degree in Global Studies and International Affairs in 2014. Peiya moved to Los Angeles in 2015 and received her paralegal certification from UCLA Extension. When away from the office, Peiya is a dragon boat paddler and a ballroom dancer, where she favors Rumbas and Cha-chas. She is fluent in Mandarin and English.

Luis Sosa
LUIS SOSA
Paralegal

Luis R. Sosa joined IFLG as a paralegal in 2016, where he enjoys pursuing his passion for family and reproductive law. While working toward his bachelor’s degree at Florida International University, Luis worked as a paralegal and legal assistant for family law litigation firms in Miami and Washington, D.C. As a paralegal and case manager for IFLG, Luis, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, manages surrogacy, egg donation and other reproductive law cases. In addition to spending time with husband Randy and dog Marty, Luis enjoys being outdoors and appreciating the arts.

Toni Hughes
TONI HUGES
Paralegal

After receiving her B.S. in Business Management, Toni joined IFLG to pursue her dream of working in the legal field. As a Paralegal with over 10 years of experience in the assisted reproduction technology field, Toni is our Managing Paralegal, responsible for training and managing our paralegal staff. From drafting legal documents to assisting our clients with post-birth matters, Toni embraces the challenge of learning something new in this field each day. Besides spending time with her son, Jordan, Toni enjoys exploring new things, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and serving as a Youth Advisor for “Next Generation.”

Miesha Cowart
MIESHA COWART
Financial Coordinator

Miesha Cowart joined IFLG as a financial specialist in 2014 following a successful career in development and business finance. Miesha previously worked for 10 years in the construction industry as a controller and for 13 years as Development Coordinator for the non-profit U.S. Fund for UNICEF. In her free time, Miesha works with “Next Generation” at her church. “They are my heartbeats!” she says of the youth in her community.

Kim
KIM DEVEREAUX
Paralegal

Kim has over 25 years of experience in the legal field and has worked exclusively in surrogacy and assisted reproduction law since 1999. Kim is a senior case manager of surrogacy and egg donation cases, and is also responsible for managing parental establishment cases and interacting with IFLG’s Of Counsel attorneys across the country. With three children of her own, Kim understands the importance of family and finds working in this area of law a rewarding experience.

Rich Vaughn
RICHARD B. VAUGHN
Founder

Attorney Rich Vaughn combined his personal passion as a father of twin boys born via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with more than 20 years of experience in business and technology law to build International Fertility Law Group. Today IFLG is one of the most successful and best-known law firms in the world focused exclusively on fertility law, helping thousands of intended parents through empathetic listening, compassionate guidance, and unmatched legal expertise. As an advocate for reproductive freedom, Rich also contributes his knowledge and time to improving the understanding and practice of ART law, most recently as a founder of and speaker at the first Cambridge University International Surrogacy Symposium held in June 2019, as immediate past chair of the American Bar Association ART Committee, and as a popular presenter to law schools, faculty and advocacy organizations all over the world.

Elizabeth Tamayo
ELIZABETH TAMAYO
Paralegal

Elizabeth received her Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University of Los Angeles. Shortly after graduating, she continued her education at the University of California, Los Angeles where she obtained her Paralegal certificate. Elizabeth is fluent in Spanish and has been in the legal field since 2009. She is excited to be a part of the IFLG Team helping families realize their dreams.

Sunny Chien
SUNNY CHIEN
Paralegal

Sunny joined IFLG as a paralegal in 2017, where she manages surrogacy, egg donation and parental establishment cases for many of IFLG’s international clients. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from California State University of Los Angeles, where she graduated cum laude. Sunny is bilingual in English and Mandarin and has extensive experience as a legal assistant and paralegal at Los Angeles-area law firms. She is excited to be part of the IFLG team. In her spare time, Sunny enjoys spending time with her family and their dog, going to the beach, cooking, and being outdoors.

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Molly O'Brien
MOLLY O'BRIEN
Partner

Fertility law attorney Molly O’Brien began working in the field of assisted reproduction technology (ART) in 2005, at an egg donation agency and a surrogacy agency where she became familiar with all aspects of in-vitro fertilization, egg donation and the financial aspects of surrogacy. Since becoming an attorney in 2011, Molly has drafted and negotiated surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation embryo donation agreements for hundreds of her clients all over the world.