Gestational-Surrogacy Contract Terms Receive Assembly Approval in NJ

Gestational-surrogacy is a non-traditional situation in which a woman agrees to bear a child for another but her own egg is not used therefore she is unrelated to the child she carries. The bill has now been approved by the senate and assembly but has not yet been signed by Governor Chris Christie. The agreement permits those who are married, in civil unions domestic partnerships, as well as single people to enter into contracts as intended parents or gestational carriers. The requirements are that all parties sign the contract, the intended parents agree to pay for the gestational carrier's medical expenses during pregnancy, the gestational carrier is permitted to select the physician she will see throughout the pregnancy, the carrier agrees to surrender custody immediately upon delivery of the baby, the intended parents agree to be financially responsible for the child and the intended parents pay the gestational carrier's reasonable expenses associated with completing the arrangement. The intent of the legislation is to insure all interested parties, including the spouse of the gestational carrier, have a full understanding of their rights and responsibilities under the contract and in relation to the child upon birth. This legislation should serve as a preventative measure against custody battles which often arise between a surrogate mother and the biological parent or parents. For more information on custody, child support and other family law matters in New Jersey visit HeatherDarlingLawyer.com.