What are the rights of a surrogate mother?

Question

What are the rights of a surrogate mother? (not withing regards to the child but within regards to the process, i.e. are the expectant parents obligated to pay pregnancy related health costs, etc?)

Answer 1

A surrogate father or a surogate mother? If a mother, did the surrogate donate the egg as well, or was it provided by another woman? It is very complex and the information you provided is insufficient to give you a detailed answer. The surrogate should consult with her ownn attorney, not the parents'. The answer varies form state to state and upon the exact way the woman is a surrogate. Generally, the "parents" can legally pay for all expenses that occur related to the pregnancy - medical checkups, delivery, etc. Some states allow the "parents" to pay for the surrogates' housing, food, ect.

Generally, the "parents" may NOT pay the surrogate a "profit" just for having the baby. Under some circumstances, that is the sale of a human being. In other words, humans cannot be sold - that is slavery, according to some state supreme courts.

This is a topic that is new to society and with which the courts have not dealt extensively. The surrogates and the "parents" all need their own attorneys in this one.

Answer 2

I believe that the expectant parents would be obligated to pay the health cost. If they were able to have the child themselves then they would be paying the cost then. Unfortunately for them they are most likely unable to have the child themselves and therefor need the surrogate mother. It will be their child so I think it should be their cost.

Answer 3

It depends on the contract that she has with the adopting parents. That will contain whatever the parties agree on, and depending on the situation, it can be very different from one surrogate to another.

Answer 4

State specific; and contract specific including the language your lawyer includes to protect your rights to have certain costs paid