American Bar Association / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Parentage Orders / Surrogacy Latest News

ABA Recommends Protecting Children’s Citizenship Rights

As more and more intended parents seek to create families via international surrogacy, national governments have been forced to consider their rules for parental recognition and citizenship of the resulting…

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March 31, 2016

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Treatment / Rich Vaughn Article / Uncategorized

Intestinal Worm’s Fertility Effect A Reminder of Nature’s Hidden Treasures

It’s common knowledge that the world’s rainforests contain untold millions of plants and animals that may hold miraculous cures for innumerable human ailments. A study by a group of UC Santa…

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November 22, 2015

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Law

Agreements on Disposition of Frozen Embryos Protect Future Peace of Mind

A San Francisco court upheld earlier this week an agreement that frozen embryos created via in vitro fertilization during a couple’s marriage would be discarded in the event of their…

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November 21, 2015

Adoption / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Gay Fathers / Marriage Equality / Parentage Orders / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage / Same Sex Parents / Sperm Donation Information / Surrogacy Latest News

Texas Birth Certificates to List 2 Moms, 2 Dads

The Texas Department of State Health Services made headlines last month when it revealed in a court filing that it would begin allowing same-sex parents’ names on children’s birth certificates—although…

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September 29, 2015

Family Law / Gay Fathers / LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Same Sex Marriage / Same Sex Parents

Dissension Lingers as U.S. Supreme Court Prepares for Marriage Equality Hearing

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to open hearings April 28 on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans in four states, a handful of contrarian holdouts continues to fuel the…

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March 10, 2015

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Law / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

ECHR Condemns Italy for Removing Child Born via Surrogacy Abroad

In its most recent ruling on families formed via assisted reproductive technology, the European Court of Human Rights has condemned Italian authorities for removing a child born to an Italian…

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February 25, 2015

Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article

Mitochondrial DNA Transfer Holds Hope for Women with Genetic Disorders

Britain’s Parliament voted this week to allow strictly limited use of a new fertility treatment that would allow women with a certain type of genetic disorder to become mothers without…

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February 5, 2015

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Intended Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

Mexican Surrogacy Boom Spawns More Damaging Headlines

Due in part to legal restrictions on surrogacy in many jurisdictions and the high cost of surrogacy and other types of assisted reproductive technology, a brisk surrogacy tourism industry has…

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January 30, 2015

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Egg Donation Information / Fertility Services / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

Tax Court: Egg Donor Fees Taxable Income

The question of whether egg donor fees constitute taxable income has long been a muddy area: states have varied on their interpretations; some agencies issue 1099s to donors, some don’t;…

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January 24, 2015

From The Hollywood Reporter Jan. 23, 2015

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Biological Time Clock / Egg Donation Information / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article

Hollywood Reporter Looks Beyond Headlines of Celebrity Baby-Boom

Just out in the Jan. 23 issue of The Hollywood Reporter is a well-researched and informative article on assisted reproductive technology. Researchers from the publication interviewed me for the piece…

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January 17, 2015

Intended Parents / Same Sex Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

How Far Does German Foreign Surrogacy Decision Go?

Several questions persist in the wake of last week’s German Supreme Court ruling ordering authorities to recognize the parentage of a gay couple who had a child via surrogacy in…

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December 29, 2014

Intended Parents / Parentage Orders / Same Sex Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

Children Born Abroad via Surrogacy Entitled to Legal Parents, German Court Rules

In a landmark ruling released Dec. 19, Germany’s highest court essentially has paved the way for German intended parents via surrogacy to have their children recognized. Here is the best…

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December 23, 2014

Family Law / Intended Parents / Same Sex Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

Germany Recognizes Parentage of Babies Born Via Surrogacy Abroad

In a historic ruling today, Germany’s Supreme Court ruled that the government must recognize the children born via surrogacy in other countries as the legal offspring of German intended parents.…

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December 20, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Same Sex Marriage

Will 2015 Bring Supreme Court Ruling on Gay Marriage?

Proponents of marriage equality have a lot to celebrate as we near the beginning of a new year. Since January 1, 2014, courts in 20 states have overturned bans on…

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December 19, 2014

Fertility Services / In Vitro Fertilization

Fertility Treatment Coverage Not Mandated Under ACA

Even as technological advances make creating a family via assisted reproductive technology easier and safer with more reliable result, it remains inaccessible to many people for one simple reason: money.…

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November 21, 2014

American Bar Association / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Intended Parents

ART for HIV+ Intended Parents is Hot Topic at Professional Conferences

I am fortunate to participate in two great professional conferences, both of which bring together some of the best minds in assisted reproductive technology to share best practices and advance…

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October 20, 2014

IFLG / Marriage Equality / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage

SCOTUS Inaction Results in More Same-Sex Marriage

As of September, 17 state attorneys general had joined a “friend of the court” brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear same-sex marriage cases from the Fourth, Seventh and…

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October 8, 2014

Gay Fathers / Intended Parents / LGBT News / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Parents

New CA Birth Certificate Law Allows LGBT Parents to Identify as Mother, Father, Parent

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, birth certificates of babies born in California will no longer identify a mother and father but will instead use the gender-neutral term “parent”

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September 25, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Intended Parents / Parentage Orders / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

Surrogacy Cases Gone Wrong in International Media

A number of high-profile cases of malfeasance or unethical activity related to international surrogacy have recently made headlines worldwide, fueling negative misconceptions.

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August 21, 2014

Photo Courtesy of Bobbie Thomas

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Services / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article

Bobbie Thomas Brings Her IVF Experience to the BUZZ

Thomas made the decision to use her highly visible Today Show podium as a way to get the topic out in the open and potentially make others undergoing fertility treatment feel more comfortable and less alone in the process.

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August 15, 2014

Family Law / Fertility Law / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

Thailand Closes Shop on Foreign Surrogacy Business

Earlier this month, the Thai military government conducted an audit of the nation’s in vitro fertilization and surrogacy agencies, a review that ultimately led to what by all reports was a virtual shutdown of the industry in Thailand.

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August 1, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Egg Donation Information / Fertility Law / Fertility Services / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

New Hampshire Passes New, Improved Surrogacy Law

New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan earlier this month signed SB 353, effective immediately, to bring New Hampshire’s existing surrogacy law up to speed with technological advances in ART and with nationwide best practices.

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July 25, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Law / Fertility Services / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

International Surrogacy Can Be Risky Business for Intended Parents, Surrogates

ABC report calls out Planet Hospital, a U.S.-based surrogacy brokerage offering surrogacy services in Cancun, Mexico, for allegedly shady practices.

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July 18, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Family Law / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / LGBT News / Parentage Orders / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

Spain Orders Consulates to Recognize Citizenship of Spanish Babies from Foreign Surrogacies

In the wake of the June 26 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on two French cases, the Spanish ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs are ordering their consulates to reinstate registrations of children born via surrogacy to Spanish intended parents in countries where surrogacy is legal.

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July 14, 2014

Parentage Orders / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Parents / Sperm Donation Information

Kansas High Court Puts Child’s Best Interests Ahead of State in Sperm Donor Parentage Case

New developments in the case of the Kansas sperm donor who, despite the fact he had no relationship or contact with the child conceived as a result of his genetic contribution, was ruled by a Kansas court to be the child’s father.

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June 23, 2014

American Bar Association / American Fertility Association / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Rich Vaughn Article

National Coalition Brainstorms Best Policies and Practices for ART Families

National Coalition provides a forum for the leaders in the field of ART to report on their current and planned activities, efforts and issues of greatest interest and concern in the United States.

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June 9, 2014

Fertility Law / Gay Fathers / Intended Parents / LGBT News / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

SURROGACY 101

Surrogacy and parental establishment laws vary dramatically from state to state and from country to country.

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June 6, 2014

Family Law / Gay Fathers / IFLG / LGBT News / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Parents

Family Equality Council Grew With Number of LGBT Families

Family Equality Council’s recent gala event, Night at the Pier, in New York, NY, honored three individuals who have been leaders in advocating for the equality of 3 million LGBT parents.

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May 29, 2014

American Bar Association / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Family Law / Fertility Law / IFLG / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article

ABA Conference Helps Keep Family Law Attorneys at Top of Game

Continuing Legal Education Conference of the American Bar Association, Family Law Section, held in Southampton, Bermuda was an important opportunity for my colleagues in the fields of family law and fertility law.

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May 16, 2014

American Fertility Association / Family Law / IFLG

AFA’s Illuminations LA Honors Hill, Pritzker, Bernstein

I once again had the great honor to serve as the National Event Co-Chair for The American Fertility Association’s Los Angeles awards gala, Illuminations, held May 3 at The W Hollywood.

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May 13, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

Melissa Harris-Perry Raises Profile of ART

Earlier this year, popular MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry put a very public face on assisted reproductive technology with the announcement that she and husband James Perry were new parents of a baby girl.

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April 18, 2014

Intended Parents / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

Louisiana Surrogacy Bill Advances from Bad to Worse

HB 187 places severe restrictions on what kind of surrogacy is allowed and what kind of intended parents are allowed to participate.

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April 15, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Family Law / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

EU Denies Paid Leave for New Moms Via Surrogacy; U.K. Does Opposite

A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice denied the claims of two mothers via surrogacy who had petitioned their employers for maternity leave.

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March 26, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage / Same Sex Parents

U.S. Courts Set Stage for SCOTUS Command Performance on Same-Sex Marriage

The U.S. Supreme Court's June 2013 decision in United States v. Windsor set the stage for the issue’s repeat appearance in front of the high court.

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March 7, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage

Holder Extends Legitimacy for Same-Sex Couples Even Where State Law Lags Behind

Attorney General Eric Holder plans to announce added recognition for same-sex married couples, vowing to treat same-sex spouses just like opposite-sex spouses.

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March 5, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article

ART Professionals Aim to Reduce Multiple Births

Although the number of babies per IVF birth has dropped, today most of those multiples are twins. The next goal of professionals in the field is to reduce the number of twins.

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February 25, 2014

Family Law / Fertility Law / Fertility Services / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article

Desire for Family Is Universal

It’s exciting to get to know people from all over the world and a privilege to play a small part in this tremendously important time in their lives.

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February 10, 2014

Adoption / Family Law / IFLG / LGBT News / Parentage Orders / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage / Same Sex Parents

Denial of ‘Second Parent’ Adoption Puts Same-Sex Couples Parental Rights in Jeopardy

Earlier this month, in a ruling that rocked the worlds of same-sex couples and attorneys alike, a Brooklyn court denied the non-biological mother of a child born to a married lesbian couple the right to legally adopt her child.

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February 7, 2014

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Family Law / Gay Fathers / IFLG / Intended Parents / LGBT News / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Parents / Surrogacy Latest News

Gay Israeli Parents Trapped Overseas by Obsolete Laws

Some 65 babies born or about to be born and their gay intended parents are trapped in a kind of legal limbo in Thailand, where the surrogate mothers reside.

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January 27, 2014

Fertility Law / Fertility Services / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Rich Vaughn Article / Sperm Donation Information

Court Rules Kansas Sperm Donor is Father

The Kansas sperm donor who was sued for child support by the state Department for Children and Families (DCF) has had his day in court.

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January 23, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage

Oklahoma Same-Sex Marriage Awaits 10th District Ruling

Another domino fell last week as another federal judge struck down a same-sex marriage ban in another conservative state—the second such occurrence in less than 30 days.

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January 20, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Same Sex Marriage / Same Sex Parents

Utah Same-Sex Couples, Families Left in “Legal Limbo”

Utah same-sex couples and their families continue on a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs following a Dec. 20 ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby overturning Utah’s ban on same-sex marriages.

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January 14, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Same Sex Marriage

SCOTUS Puts Hold On Utah Same-Sex Marriage

Many gay and lesbian couples in Utah have put their plans to marry on hold for now, as the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 6 put a hold on U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby’s Dec. 20 ruling striking down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage.

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January 9, 2014

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage

Utah Ruling May Rush SCOTUS Gay Marriage Decision

Defenders of Utah’s gay marriage ban seem likely to force the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in again on same-sex marriage, sooner rather than later.

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December 30, 2013

Family Law / IFLG / Marriage Equality / Same Sex Marriage / Same Sex Parents

Utah Same-Sex Marriage May Improve Status of Non-Traditional Families

The people of Utah are divided between celebration and outrage in response to a federal court ruling Friday, Dec. 20, knocking down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage on constitutional grounds.

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December 23, 2013

LGBT News / Marriage Equality / Rich Vaughn Article / Same Sex Marriage

New Mexico Court Rules for Marriage Equality

The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled December 19 that prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying is a violation of the anti-discrimination clause in the state’s Constitution, making New Mexico the 17th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.

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December 19, 2013

American Fertility Association / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Law / Fertility Services / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article

Fertility Doctors Seek to Reduce Twin Births from IVF

The Today Show, as part of a series on ART, recently highlighted technological improvements that have resulted in fewer births of triplets and higher multiples and, increasingly, fewer births of twins.

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December 11, 2013

Adoption / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Family Law / Fertility Law / IFLG / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Latest News

Are Single Dads Sexier?

Growing Generations, surrogacy and egg donation agency, was featured recently in an article in DuJour Magazine about the growing numbers of single men choosing to become parents via surrogacy.

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December 9, 2013

Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Services / Rich Vaughn Article / Sperm Donation Information

‘Delivery Man’ Delivers Realistic Look at Consequences Along With Laughs

In the movie “Delivery Man,” Vince Vaughn stars as a Joe Sixpack sort of guy who delivers meat for his father’s company and whose pregnant girlfriend doesn’t want him around.…

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November 29, 2013

Adoption / American Bar Association / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Law / Fertility Services / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Intended Parents / LGBT News / Rich Vaughn Article

AAARTA Conference Offers Global Perspective on ART Law

Earlier this month I attended the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAARTA) and American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Mid-Year Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. The conference, entitled “A…

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November 20, 2013