DEFENDING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

PARENTAL RIGHTS

iflg-international-fertility-law-group-worldwide-services

Nothing brings peace of mind like legal establishment of parental rights

Aside from a healthy baby, nothing is more important to intended parents than knowing their status as legal parents of their child is secure.

International Fertility Law Group (IFLG) has helped families created via assisted reproductive technology (ART) from all over the United States and throughout the world achieve this peace of mind. Because our practice is focused exclusively on fertility law, we stay abreast of statutes and case law as they vary from state to state and country to country in this rapidly evolving field.

Because IFLG founder and reproductive law attorney Rich Vaughn became a parent via ART, he understands the concerns of intended parents and their desire to ensure their families are legally protected and secure.

Let us help you achieve the peace of mind that comes with experienced, competent and compassionate legal representation. Contact us today…

PARENTAL RIGHTS

ART Law Focus

We focus exclusively on ART law and stay abreast of laws as they vary from state to state and country to country in this rapidly evolving field.

  • Establish legal rights to your baby

  • Ensure Birth Certificates are prepared properly

  • Liaise with birth hospital

  • Coordinate birth registry process with state and county

  • Assist with U.S. passports for children born to international clients

  • Obtain apostilled documents for international clients

Parental Establishment FAQs

The parental establishment confirmation process aims to establish your rights as parent(s) and terminate the rights your surrogate (and the surrogate’s husband, if she is married) may be presumed to have under law. The process generally begins once you are safely into the second trimester and in the fourth month of the pregnancy. At that time we will schedule a consultation with you to go over the next steps of the process, discuss the documents that will be prepared, and begin collecting information from you, your surrogate and your IVF physician that we will need to insert into the parentage documents. In the following month, we will draft and file documents for your case in the appropriate state agency or court. In some states, we are allowed to file the matter before the birth and obtain a “pre-birth order”; in others, state law requires that we file for the parental order after the birth and attend a court hearing. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States. The judges who review these types of parental establishment cases are familiar with the subject matter and are generally on a first-name basis with our attorneys. Barring any extraordinary circumstances, a pre-birth order is generally issued two to five weeks after the matter is filed, and in “post-birth” states a post-birth order is generally issued the same day as the post-birth hearing. Certified copies of the parental order confirming your legal rights as parent(s) to your baby are generally available to you shortly thereafter.

Should you elect to bypass the parental establishment confirmation process, then your surrogate (and her husband, if she is married) may still be presumed to be parent(s) of the child (i.e., the surrogate’s and her husband’s rights are not terminated, as they normally would be by the judgment that is issued). Accordingly, your parental rights will not be secured or established, and your name will generally not be placed on the birth certificate of your child.

While there are some similarities, the parental establishment confirmation process is not an adoption, even if the parental order is issued post-birth. Surrogacy parental orders do not generally require a home study and are completed in a fraction of the time typically required for an adoption.

In most cases, the parties are not required to make an appearance in court for a parental establishment confirmation hearing. An IFLG attorney will appear on your behalf and answer any questions from the court. If you and the surrogate have agreed, we may be able to represent both of you at the hearing. If your presence is required at the hearing, we will notify you.

While most judges feel more comfortable issuing judgments in cases where both the intended parents and the surrogate are represented by counsel, they may grant a judgment if a surrogate is not represented.

In some states, the original birth certificate will reflect your names. Other states may allow the names of one or both parents to appear on the birth certificate; it may also be possible to obtain an amended birth certificate. The laws vary from state to state. Please check with our office to discuss your specific situation. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States and abroad.

Your baby must be born in the state in which the parental establishment judgment was issued in order for the judgment to be recognized by that state’s government agencies, hospitals, etc.; however, there are a few exceptions to this rule, and some state vital records offices will accept a court order issued by another state. This varies from state to state. Please check with our office to discuss your specific situation. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States.

If your baby were born in another state, then confirming your parental rights to your baby would fall under the jurisdiction of that state’s courts. Because each state operates quite differently in regard to parental establishment and assisted reproduction law, we suggest that you contact us immediately if you believe there is a possibility that your baby may be delivered in another state. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States.

The parental establishment finalization process generally takes about three to four months from start to finish in pre-birth states, and in those states requiring a post-birth filing or hearing, the matters are completed generally within a week of birth, although some exceptions apply.

We offer single-price, all-inclusive service packages, as well as reasonable hourly rates. Please call our office for further pricing information.

Overview

Nothing brings peace of mind like legal establishment of parental rights

Aside from a healthy baby, nothing is more important to intended parents than knowing their status as legal parents of their child is secure.

International Fertility Law Group (IFLG) has helped families created via assisted reproductive technology (ART) from all over the United States and throughout the world achieve this peace of mind. Because our practice is focused exclusively on fertility law, we stay abreast of statutes and case law as they vary from state to state and country to country in this rapidly evolving field.

Because IFLG founder and reproductive law attorney Rich Vaughn became a parent via ART, he understands the concerns of intended parents and their desire to ensure their families are legally protected and secure.

Let us help you achieve the peace of mind that comes with experienced, competent and compassionate legal representation. Contact us today…

PARENTAL RIGHTS

ART Law Focus

We focus exclusively on ART law and stay abreast of laws as they vary from state to state and country to country in this rapidly evolving field.

What We Do
  • Establish legal rights to your baby

  • Ensure Birth Certificates are prepared properly

  • Liaise with birth hospital

  • Coordinate birth registry process with state and county

  • Assist with U.S. passports for children born to international clients

  • Obtain apostilled documents for international clients

FAQs

Parental Establishment FAQs

The parental establishment confirmation process aims to establish your rights as parent(s) and terminate the rights your surrogate (and the surrogate’s husband, if she is married) may be presumed to have under law. The process generally begins once you are safely into the second trimester and in the fourth month of the pregnancy. At that time we will schedule a consultation with you to go over the next steps of the process, discuss the documents that will be prepared, and begin collecting information from you, your surrogate and your IVF physician that we will need to insert into the parentage documents. In the following month, we will draft and file documents for your case in the appropriate state agency or court. In some states, we are allowed to file the matter before the birth and obtain a “pre-birth order”; in others, state law requires that we file for the parental order after the birth and attend a court hearing. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States. The judges who review these types of parental establishment cases are familiar with the subject matter and are generally on a first-name basis with our attorneys. Barring any extraordinary circumstances, a pre-birth order is generally issued two to five weeks after the matter is filed, and in “post-birth” states a post-birth order is generally issued the same day as the post-birth hearing. Certified copies of the parental order confirming your legal rights as parent(s) to your baby are generally available to you shortly thereafter.

Should you elect to bypass the parental establishment confirmation process, then your surrogate (and her husband, if she is married) may still be presumed to be parent(s) of the child (i.e., the surrogate’s and her husband’s rights are not terminated, as they normally would be by the judgment that is issued). Accordingly, your parental rights will not be secured or established, and your name will generally not be placed on the birth certificate of your child.

While there are some similarities, the parental establishment confirmation process is not an adoption, even if the parental order is issued post-birth. Surrogacy parental orders do not generally require a home study and are completed in a fraction of the time typically required for an adoption.

In most cases, the parties are not required to make an appearance in court for a parental establishment confirmation hearing. An IFLG attorney will appear on your behalf and answer any questions from the court. If you and the surrogate have agreed, we may be able to represent both of you at the hearing. If your presence is required at the hearing, we will notify you.

While most judges feel more comfortable issuing judgments in cases where both the intended parents and the surrogate are represented by counsel, they may grant a judgment if a surrogate is not represented.

In some states, the original birth certificate will reflect your names. Other states may allow the names of one or both parents to appear on the birth certificate; it may also be possible to obtain an amended birth certificate. The laws vary from state to state. Please check with our office to discuss your specific situation. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States and abroad.

Your baby must be born in the state in which the parental establishment judgment was issued in order for the judgment to be recognized by that state’s government agencies, hospitals, etc.; however, there are a few exceptions to this rule, and some state vital records offices will accept a court order issued by another state. This varies from state to state. Please check with our office to discuss your specific situation. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States.

If your baby were born in another state, then confirming your parental rights to your baby would fall under the jurisdiction of that state’s courts. Because each state operates quite differently in regard to parental establishment and assisted reproduction law, we suggest that you contact us immediately if you believe there is a possibility that your baby may be delivered in another state. International Fertility Law Group has experienced reproductive law attorneys available throughout the United States.

The parental establishment finalization process generally takes about three to four months from start to finish in pre-birth states, and in those states requiring a post-birth filing or hearing, the matters are completed generally within a week of birth, although some exceptions apply.

We offer single-price, all-inclusive service packages, as well as reasonable hourly rates. Please call our office for further pricing information.

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 moved to the United States in 2012 to attend Northeastern 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, received her paralegal certification from UCLA Extension, and obtained her second Master of Science degree in Legal Studies from Loyola Law School. Peiya relocated back to her hometown, Beijing, China in 2019 and works from IFLG’s Beijing office. 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 which he received in 2013, 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. Luis has worked for IFLG in both Los Angeles as well as San Francisco, and is currently based in Dallas, Texas. In addition to spending time with husband Randy and dog Marty, Luis enjoys being outdoors and appreciating the arts.

Toni Hughes
TONI BOONE
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.”

Kim
KIM LETZKUS
Paralegal

Kim has over 30 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 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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OFFICES
Los Angeles

5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 645

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Phone:  +1 323 331 9343

Email:  info@iflg.net

Website:  www.iflg.net

New York
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501 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1900

New York, NY 10017

Phone:  +1 844 400 2016

Email:  info@iflg.net

Website:  www.iflg.net

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.

Phoebe Sadler
PHOEBE S. SADLER
Associate

Fertility law attorney Phoebe Sadler has a background in family law and has been practicing exclusively in the area of assisted reproduction technology (ART) law since 2018.

Rubina Aslanyan
RUBINA ASLANYAN
Paralegal

Rubina has an extensive background in the legal field as a paralegal in Family Law and has worked in surrogacy and assisted reproduction law since 2012. Her area of focus is in managing and assisting clients with surrogacy, egg donation, and parental establishment cases for many of IFLG’s domestic and international clients. During her spare time, Rubina enjoys spending time with her family and dog Bella, traveling and cooking.

Alexander Espinoza
ALEXANDER ESPINOZA
Legal Assistant

Alexander joined IFLG as a legal assistant in 2019, where he manages surrogacy, egg donation and parental establishment cases. Alex is bilingual in English and Spanish and has been in the legal field for 23 years. Alex is excited to join the IFLG team and pursuing his will to help others in the reproductive law process. In his spare time he loves spending time with his family and friends, being outdoors, road trips, loves music and dancing.

Cara Stecker
CARA STECKER
Senior Paralegal

After receiving her paralegal certificate in 2005, Cara began working in assisted reproductive law. During the fifteen years Cara has worked in this field, she has gained a wide range of experience and knowledge that she uses to help better assist clients and those involved in the assisted reproductive journey. Cara’s primary roles involve managing parental establishment matters and coordination with IFLG’s Of Counsel attorney network, drafting contracts and parental establishment court documents and providing support to other team members. Cara finds great joy in being a small part of a team of caring people who help others achieve their dream of having a family. In her spare time, Cara enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, watching her children play the sports they love, and she enjoys, running, cycling and exploring the outdoors in the sun.

Stephanie Kimble
STEPHANIE KIMBLE
Paralegal

Stephanie received her BS in History and Political Thought from Concordia University Irvine in 2015 and her Paralegal Certificate from University of San Diego later that same year. She has been working as a Paralegal since 2016 in Family and Reproductive Law. She is excited to be part of International Fertility Law Group working on managing Surrogacy, Egg donation and Parental Establishment Cases.

Trish Pittman
TRISH PITTMAN
Assistant Financial Coordinator

With more than 20 years of experience in the field of accounting, Trish joined the IFLG team in 2019 as Assistant Financial Coordinator. Her client-facing focus at IFLG is to assist with all client trust accounting. Trish is the mother of two daughters and enjoys spending time teaching and learning new things from them. In her free time, she loves long walks in the park and reading suspense and mystery novels.

Katie Deaquino
KATIE DEAQUINO
Senior Paralegal

Katie is a Senior Paralegal with IFLG and has dedicated over sixteen years to the areas of surrogacy and reproductive law. She received her Paralegal Certificate from Coastline Community College and has worked with some of the top law firms in the assisted reproduction community. Katie is also a commissioned Notary Public. With IFLG, Katie manages Surrogacy, Egg Donation, and Parental Establishment cases and provides support to other IFLG team members. Katie truly enjoys helping others build their families through assisted reproduction and is thankful she has had the rewarding experience of assisting IFLG clients. Katie often spends her free time with her Husband, four young children and her bulldog “Bella”.

Elsa Jimenez
ELSA JIMENEZ
Legal Assistant

Elsa joined IFLG as a Legal Assistant in 2019, bringing more than 35 years of experience working in the legal profession (concentrating in tort and litigation matters). At IFLG she assists surrogates with their surrogacy and parental matters. The oldest of five siblings, born and raised in East Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents, Elsa loves “seeing the beauty of families forming” through assisted reproductive technology. She and her husband Carlos have four children and one grandson. Elsa enjoys jazz and ’80s music, being outdoors in nature, collecting teacups and tea pots, and spending time with her close-knit family.