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If you are exploring ways to fund for surrogacy journey, surrogacy lawyers at Tsong Law Group can help with our complimentary financial coaching package through our Seedcoach programs. The costs associated with a surrogacy journey can be daunting since the medical, agency, and legal expenses can quickly add up. In another blog article , you can find out more details about our Seedcoach program. Here we will share Seedcoach’s tips for finding surrogacy grants to fund your journey. Grants    The high cost of surrogacy can deter many. Fortunately, some intended parents who have experienced the costs of surrogacy have started grant foundations to help lower the financial barriers to family building. While these grants are highly competitive, they are worth looking into. Seedcoach advises you to start your search locally and to check IVF clinics for any special funding programs they offer. Notably, certain religious faiths, ethnicities, or particular occupations sometimes have grant programs. There are also broader programs that offer grant assistance for those pursuing surrogacy including:  Baby Quest   Journey to Parenthood   Gift of Parenthood   Gift of Surrogacy   Gay Parenting Assistance Program   These grants can provide you with financial support starting from $10,000 all the way up to the entire cost of a journey. Even if there are many other applicants, you may have a story or background unique to you that will help in obtaining a grant. When you work with Seedcoach, you will have a personal finance coach who can help you with tips on grant writing, and what they see in successful grant winners. You can find more grants on the Resolve website. Employer Benefits     Another resource that is becoming more available is specific infertility workplace benefits. These benefits are provided by employers specifically for family building and reimbursements for eligible infertility expenses. Many employers have started to provide these benefits as more people are turning to surrogacy and other assisted reproduction procedures as options, but employees can ask for specific benefits if they are not already available. Working with HR to obtain employee benefits for surrogacy can go a long way to adding family-building benefits to any company.  Some people take on jobs specifically for the company’s infertility benefits. Seedcoach can advise about the availability of employee benefits and infertility/surrogacy coverage from employers that offer those benefits.   A surrogacy journey consists of many steps but budgeting and planning with Seedcoach as a resource will reduce financial stress.  Seedcoach offers one-on-one coaching to help identify grant organizations that might work for your family and guidance on how to look for or ask for employee benefits.    To learn more about these resources and how you can access them, you may go directly here  or contact  the surrogacy lawyers of Tsong Law Group.

Tolstoy once wrote, all happy families are alike but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.  All in My Family , a short film released on Netflix on May 3, 2019, shows that families can be happy and unhappy and different all at the same time.  All in My Family explores the theme of a prodigal son returning to a family he wanted to leave and how he tries to be true to himself despite his familial and cultural pressures. In this intimate documentary, viewers follow filmmaker Hao Wu as he shares the story of surrogacy and how his family in China reacts.   The documentary starts with his upbringing in a boisterous, traditional Chinese household and his experience with moving to New York  and following his own path.  As the only male son in his family, Wu was raised to have a successful career, get married, and have his own biological children. Wu did all those things, just not in the way his family may have wanted.  Wu shares his experience of coming out to his conservative family and his journey of becoming a parent to two children with his Chinese-American husband. Unfortunately, his sexual orientation did not align with his traditional parents' worldview, leading to an emotional conflict between them. His parents’ reactions, years later, show that they still struggle to accept Wu’s identity.   The audience witnesses the genuine reactions of Wu's Chinese parents as they question his egg donation and  surrogacy journeys . A couple years later, he introduces his children to his family and the children and Wu are immediately accepted, but the family argues about how to explain the absence of the mother or Eric’s role in the children.   Wu is unsure how he would break the news to his grandfather, who is the only one not aware his grandson is gay, or that Wu’s children were born through two surrogates. This documentary highlights the generational differences and beliefs in his family. We watch as Wu brings his husband Eric into the room without lying to his grandfather and how he reacts. In the end he and Eric decide that there is no need to reveal to his grandpa that they are both fathers to the children. Everyone is happy that Wu has returned with a happy family, and his extended family, though constantly arguing, manages to pass through the family drama.   Although specific to China, what Wu experiences may not seem too different than other immigrant family experiences, and the cultural differences we experience when we return to a family we moved away from.  His journey is deeply personal because he shares his families’ Chinese culture and how they express their love. As surrogacy becomes more popular and more normal, we feel hope there is progress as his parents and grandparents accept his nontraditional family. Wu gains wisdom to accept that changing the views of his parents and grandparents will be gradual.    Is it Worth Watching?  This documentary is worth watching for anyone considering a surrogacy journey, especially with international Asian intended parents. Though his surrogacy journey itself is not the main plot point but rather the starting point, it is a short film that is a light experience to watch, and provides a rare glimpse of what same-sex intended parents may experience when they return with their child to China.   Surrogacy agencies  who have Chinese intended parents should also show this documentary to their new staff, because it will go a good way to show what family values are like in China and how surrogacy and same sex relationships are managed in Chinese culture.  Since it is a short length with funny moments and never too heavy, we recommend it to anyone who is interested in surrogacy or Chinese culture.    All In My Family  is available for streaming on Netflix.   The legal part of the surrogacy process  is sadly not covered in this film. Perhaps it was omitted for brevity. For those who are looking to learn about the legal process, contact the surrogacy lawyers of Tsong Law Group for more information.

At Tsong Law Group, we understand that families come in all shapes and sizes, and the journey to build a family can be as unique as the families themselves.  Families come in all shapes and sizes and ways of growing families can be equally unique. Non-traditional family building is a wonderful way to grow the joy and love in your family but it can come with additional stress, uncertainty, and expense. Many families turn to adoption to grow their families only to find out the financial hurdles are too great. Adoption costs can range from $30,000-$50,000 or more, depending on the type of adoption.   But the good news is that families aren’t alone in that struggle. Born through her personal experience in adoption and a drive to help other families, Kelly Ellison founded Your Adoption Finance Coach. This educational program comes alongside agencies, lawyers, and consultants to help support prospective parents in navigating the complex finances of adoption. Kelly, along with a team of coaches are passionate about helping all families solve the financial puzzle of adoption. Tsong Law Group has partnered with Your Adoption Finance Coach to provide this service for free to our hopeful adoptive parent clients, as well as offering its sister program, Seedcoach, to our intended parent clients. If you are interested in either program, just ask us.   Your Adoption Finance Coaching program works to solve the money problem for adoptive families.  The system offers resources ranging from on-demand videos and downloadable templates to one-on-one coaching calls to help prospective parents map out their budget and funding timeline - so they know not only how much they’ll need but when. This approach to budgeting helps families identify and plan for funding gaps for targeted and customized planning. The team at Your Adoption Finance Coach can help prospective parents find resources to help fill those gaps, from grants to loans to setting up a fundraising campaign. Coaches provide families with customized solutions based on their personal and family needs.   Listen to these testimonials about Your Adoption Finance Coach:  “The portal offered a great deal of helpful information. However, having a personal coach, a human being, I could talk to and bounce ideas off of helped me understand how the information from the portal applied to me and more importantly, put it to good use. My coach was readily available - I appreciated that I could both email her quick questions AND jump on the phone with her to talk through more complex inquiries; and I always had the portal there as a reference point with best practices, help and templates. The assistance I got from YAFC was invaluable. I fear there are prospective adoptive families out there who believe they make too much money or don’t need help – and so when offered the services of YAFC by their agency or attorney, they look the other way. I think this is a mistake. I would urge families to give YAFC the opportunity to ease the financial burden of your adoption journey; it will make both a short-term and long-term difference. Because of YAFC’s help, I was in a much better financial position when my teen and preteen sons came home than I would have been without utilizing their services. I am grateful.” Stephen, Santiago and Juan, Adoptive Family   “We found the adoption process thoroughly overwhelming (emotionally, logistically and financially) and quite honestly, weren't expecting much when we learned about Your Adoption Finance Coach (YAFC). We attended our first YAFC webinar and were pleasantly surprised. We then spoke with our coach to learn more about their services and how they could help us. Our experience with YAFC was incredible and they are absolutely the first name we mention when anyone tells us that they are planning to adopt. Our coach was informative and patient, guiding us expertly through each step of the gran application process; no matter how trivial the question. We cannot thank YAFC enough. Our adoption would have been very difficult without them.” Luke, Kim and Baby Lennox, Adoptive Family   “Having someone who knows the ins and outs of the application process, who has a relationship with many of the larger foundations, who could tell me which foundations made sense for us to apply to, and who could also help us make sure our application was both thorough and compelling – I don’t know how to quantify such a resource. In addition to helping us find funding to finalize our adoption, our YAFC coach no doubt saved me an unknown amount of time and energy so that I could concentrate what little time and energy I did have on bringing our daughter home and caring for her." YAFC Family, Adoptive Family     Conclusion  Your Adoption Finance Coach and Tsong Law Group stand ready to empower families on their adoption journey. Over the years, Your Adoption Finance Coach has assisted over 15,000 families in raising more than $15 million for their adoption journeys. Together, we firmly believe that financial constraints should not hinder anyone from embarking on the journey of adoption. At Tsong Law Group, we share this belief wholeheartedly. Our team of adoption lawyers is dedicated to ensuring that legal and financial barriers do not stand in the way of building your family through adoption.   If you're planning an adoption and need extra guidance with the financial and legal aspects, don't hesitate to reach out to contact us  or visit this site. There is no extra cost to use this benefit. For more information, you may visit this site.

Released on May 21, 2024, The Bump by Sidney Karger follows the adventures of Wyatt Wallace and Biz Petterelli about five weeks before the expected due date of their surrogate. The New Yorkers decide to take a cross-country babymoon with their dog for their surrogate’s delivery in California for one last adventure and address relationship issues before parenthood. Along the way, unexpected detours open old wounds and secrets, challenging them to rethink the meaning of family as they prepare for their baby’s arrival. This novel shows some of the funny, reflective, and challenging moments a couple may have on their road to becoming a parent through egg donation and surrogacy.    We interviewed our former client Sidney Karger about his book:  Exclusive Interview with Sidney Karger:   #1) Can you describe your journey to becoming a published author?   S: “I had always wanted to be a writer when I was a little kid... When I was 12, I sat down and wrote a book which was a terrible version of Choose Your Own Adventure books. I got encouragement from friends and family to keep writing and then I fell in love with movies. Out of college I started writing screenplays and once I realized people actually write movies. I'm like, ‘I'll be a screenwriter.’ I started writing screenplays and reading them for studios and production companies. Then around after that time, I got a job as a writer director at Comedy Central and was sort of writing and directing for their shows in-house creatively. I became a working screenwriter and left Comedy Central. Sort of that old saying of preparation and opportunity equals luck, I was introduced to my now book agent...I've been collecting ideas through the years and always thought I would write a book, way later in life when I turned 80 or something...I pitched him some ideas and that was my last book that came out last year called Best Men  and it's a romantic comedy and I sold that as a two book deal.”     #2) How much research was involved in writing your book on surrogacy and egg donation? And how much was it was prior knowledge?   S: “My partner and I just started talking about surrogacy years ago and then some friends of ours started having babies that way and through adoption. We learned through osmosis what they were doing and there was a time when we started taking it seriously. As everyone knows, surrogacy and adoption are so complicated and overwhelming. There are so many ways you can collect that information. The book deals with the emotional aspects of whether you're having a baby the traditional way, through surrogacy, IVF, or adoption. I was taking notes from friends and even our parents. You can detect the differences between couples, like the disciplinarian one and the one who is a little more laid back.”    #3) The book portrays Wyatt with a type A personality and loves planning while his partner Biz is more laid back and goes with the flow. Who do you think you identify more with?   S: It interesting, I think I'm probably a little of both. I like to plan and be spontaneous and a little more laid back, but I can be indecisive. The characters are drawn out of people that I know, people I've met, or people I've eavesdropped on in a restaurant. There's a lot of stuff that I draw upon that I've experienced but then put into a different type of scenario with different characters so I can tap into the same emotion I felt. The characters become sort of like heightened versions of parts of my personality and people I know. I don't necessarily gravitate towards one of the other, they're both kind of close to my heart.     #4) Wyatt and Biz are experiencing a bump in the relationship and doubts of becoming parents. If you could have a conversation with them. What advice would you give them?   S: “I would wait until their journey is over and I would say, there's a big lack of communication between the two of them. I would encourage them to talk things out a little more and hash things out. They can figure out why one of them is this way and the other one was that way. Within the book, one starts out super organized and kind of wants to have an itinerary and the other ones afraid of having a baby and wants to play it a little looser. I don't want to give a spoiler away, but it changes in the end. My advice would be to communicate more...with age comes a little more wisdom. I would say to them don't make everything so dramatic and you'll get through this.”    #5) Wyatt and Biz have two very different families. What type of family do you personally envision for your future?   S: “Hopefully a little of both, I love that idea. I came from a big family, but my siblings were older. When they moved out of the house, I was kind of alone with my parents. I got the best of both worlds, and I would love that for my future family. Just the idea of having a big family but then the quiet time you can share. Everyone does their own thing and then you kind of come back together. I love that sort of spectrum of loud and quiet. You rebel against what you grew up with and want the opposite sometimes, but then you realize you want to get back to your roots. I think having that balance is good.”    #6) Without too many spoilers, what scene was the hardest for you to write?   S: “Generally the hardest scenes to write were in the car because I really wanted to make sure that you are with these characters along their “journey.” I wanted the reader to experience being in the car with them, but that could be boring. Those were the hardest scenes and I tapped into road trips that I've taken, long drives, listening to music, coming up with games, calling people on the phone on speaker. Trying to keep the story moving while they're in the car was really a challenge because again, I just wanted you to feel like you're on this road trip with them.   Legal and Realistic Aspects:    As usual for our reviews, we look into whether the story is realistic from a legal and factual standpoint.  Karger shares the process of Wyatt and Biz  selecting an egg donor  and over a year later, anticipating the birth of their child. The story opens with them going through many profiles of egg donors and reading their descriptions. This is very accurate for families who search for donors through agencies that have online profiles and descriptions of available donors. They compile a board of possible donors by considering their family history, biography, and interests. Wyatt and Biz spent over eight months trying to select a donor. After agreeing on an egg donor, they contact the agency to confirm if the donor is available.   Although the story does not follow the process of Wyatt and Biz selecting their surrogate, we are introduced to Flora when she FaceTimes them during their trip to give medical updates. Surrogacy contracts  will often disclose that the surrogate must contact the intended parents and provide updates of doctors visits and allow their attendance in person. These tend to be minimums and intended parents can have more contact than what is in the contract.  Flora does a great job of keeping in contact with the couple and forms a close bond with them. She shares continues to follow up with more calls throughout the novel.   Wyatt and Biz witness the birth of their child in the hospital room beside Flora. The hospital staff are aware of the surrogacy matter once they arrive at the hospital. They are quickly let into the delivery room, most likely because the hospital was given a hospital letter and the court judgment prior to the birth (also known as a PBO ). Before the birth of the child, your attorney should inform the surrogate’s hospital of choice of the matter and provide all the necessary paperwork so the intended parents can safely leave the hospital with their child and have their names on the birth certificate.  There are no legal hiccups or concerns in the novel, which indicates the legal part was well-handled.  Spoiler alert:   We learn of a second journey for Wyatt and Biz using the same egg donor and surrogate. This is a possibility for intended parents who want to embark on a second journey after their first successful one. Many intended parents with good experiences opt to use the same egg donor and surrogate because they wish to have a sibling journey, and already have a close bond from the first journey and know what to expect. We can only wonder if Wyatt and Biz used the same lawyers for their second journey.     Conclusion:  In conclusion, The Bump  by Sidney Karger is a breezy summer read that on a seldom explored topic of fiction, the journey to parenthood through surrogacy and egg donation, and how a couple processes their transition. Karger’s narrative is humorous but also deep, and the reader really feels dropped into the perspective of being on the edge of unknown when starting a family through third party reproduction.  We know the feeling is universal for new intended parents. If you choose the right lawyer, at least you won't have to worry about the legal aspects of your journey. If you need a lawyer for surrogacy and egg donation, contact us now.

An escrow company is a neutral third party that manages funds for two or more parties. In the world of third-party reproduction, an escrow company will manage funds deposited by intended parents which will be set aside to compensate the surrogate or  donor and reimburse them for expenses on the journey. Sometimes instead of escrow companies, attorneys’ trust accounts are used to store the funds. Some states such as California  and New York  surrogacy laws require funds to be held in a licensed and bonded escrow company or in an attorney trust fund.   The exact compensation terms will be outlined clearly in the surrogacy agreement. The surrogacy agreement will also state how much should be deposited in the escrow account, what the minimum balance is, and how long the escrow account has to stay open, and when payments must be made to the surrogate.   Recently, many intended parents have a legitimate fear that the escrow company of their choice may not fulfill its duties. What if the escrow company’s accounts are frozen, the owner or employee stops responding, or worse, appears to disappear with the money, what should you do?  The best way to avoid issues with your escrow company is prevention and doing sufficient research before choosing an escrow company. You should consider many factors when choosing a reputable escrow company. First, experience of an escrow company team is important because they will know how to handle any issues. A successful escrow team should consist of experts in surrogacy banking, CPA (certified public accountants), and licensed attorneys. Along with experience, you can read client reviews of their experience using the company or ask your attorney  for a referral.  Next, a factor to consider is the structure and practices in place. Multi-level security and approvals must be in place for any money to be released from the client’s escrow account. These checks and balances ensure that no single person can commit theft and help significantly reduce potential errors. You can ask whether they have a system that allows for internal checks and balances. This will allow for all levels of management to be watched and prevent potential issues from escalating into larger problems.  Lastly, the escrow company should have insurance and bonding that can cover any potential losses financially. It provides a safety net not only for the company but for your funds. The insurance should cover any potential threats of cyber-attacks or errors made. Be sure to ask for a copy of the bond policy. You can verify whether the bond exists by requesting the policy declaration and calling the bond company.   If you do find yourself in a situation where the escrow company’s account is frozen and payments are not made, and you fear the money is gone here are some steps you can take. Keep in mind the steps can be taken in a different order and multiple steps at the same time.   Immediately attempt to reach your contacts at the escrow company for answers.   Verify with the surrogate or donor if payments were received or not. Ask her to take a screen shot of recent deposits to show that the deposit did not occur.   Screen shot your balance and page, as well as deposit and disbursement history. This will be needed later for proof of what your deposits and the balance you are entitled to, especially if the portal becomes inaccessible.   If you suspect any attempts of fraud and cannot get in touch with your account manager, you can contact the bank where the escrow account is located and inform the account manager you are a beneficiary of the escrow account. Escrow accounts are special accounts at the bank, and the account manager should be able to answer your questions as to the balance of the account and whether it is frozen. If you cannot get through or explain the problem, then ask your attorney for assistance.  Either you or your attorney can also request the account be frozen if you believe fraudulent transactions have taken place or are about to take place. You can also provide proof of screen shots of funds not received by your surrogate.   If you believe you are a victim, immediately report it to the authorities such as the local police, the FBI, and the FDIC. You should also contact the bond company that has a bond to file a claim.  You can also contact your bank to attempt to stop any recent wires or ACH transfers  There are other steps such as contacting your agency, finding other intended parents who are in the same situation, and reaching out to your elected officials, news media, and anyone who can help escalate the issue.   In the end, a lawsuit may be necessary to get your funds back, and a plaintiff’s attorney will be knowledgeable  about the proper parties to sue for a recovery.   Keep in mind you will continue to have obligations under the surrogacy contract to pay. You may have to speak with your attorney about what to do if you are not able to pay the surrogate’s monthly compensation. Steps such as amending the surrogacy agreement to allow more time to make payments should be considered.   Conclusion An escrow company are supposed to provide the parties peace of mind that the surrogacy journey is adequately funded. While in the history of surrogacy, escrow companies for years have been safe, unfortunately the risk of fraud or theft exists. It’s best to research your escrow company to minimize risk, and keep in mind that escrow or a trust account will be the best course of action from the surrogate’s perspective. If issues arise, gather evidence to demonstrate the amount of money is at risk. Having an attorney who is responsive when trouble arises in the surrogacy process is priceless. Tsong Law Group has a strong reputation of responsiveness when their clients are in need. Contact us today if you are begining your journey.

“The Man With 1000 Kids” is Netflix’s latest true-crime docuseries directed by Josh Allott. The documentary unpacks Jonathan Meijer’s obsessive quest to father as many children as possible around the world through sperm donation. As a news article we previously featured on our social media , this documentary presents another case of donor deception, a different type than the ones done by fertility doctors in Netflix’s “Our Father” and   HBO’s “Baby God”.   The documentary starts in the Netherlands, where Meijer, a charming YouTube influencer, deceived many with his attractive appearance and persuasive personality. He often donated sperm privately, bypassing official channels and regulations, sometimes even offering to donate through intercourse, though most recipients chose self-insemination.  Jonathan Meijer lack of accountability in sperm donation was first noticed when one parent of a child conceived with Meijer’s sperm found out that an alarming number of half-siblings were living in their town. At the same time, at Isala Fertility Center, a doctor received an email accusing one of their donors for possibly fathering more than 150 children in the Netherlands. The donor had violated his agreement with Isala by working directly with other families and donation banks. Jonathan Meijer had also travelled all over the world donating his sperm to as many clinics and countries as he could. On average couples have about 2.3 children which is still a handful, but Meijer single handedly may have sired over 1,000 offspring.   The documentary also interviews couples and individuals affected by Meijers where many share how he lied about the frequency of his sperm donations. The variety of couples that were interviewed is refreshing to many viewers, as some couples were same sex couples, and some were heterosexual but could not bear children, and there were also single women that desperately wanted children but didn't have a partner.   The couple’s stories go from the initial joy of the pregnancies to the unravelling horror of what their sperm donor, Jonathan Meijer, had done. “Children who haven’t been brought up together are more likely to get attracted to each other because they see some familiarities in the face of the sibling,” says Natalie, a mother featured in the documentary. Dr. Max Curfs, a clinical embryologist, further explains in the series that limits on sperm donation exist in order to protect the resulting children from the risk of consanguineous relationships, or unwitting incest. However, Meijer ignored these rules, increasing the risk of consanguinity for the children.   Meijer was eventually stopped when Mark de Hek, a lawyer from the Netherlands, received a call from one of the parents asking for his help. De Hek decided to take on the case to charge Meijer. A Dutch court banned Meijer from donating sperm to new parents and gave him a penalty of 100,000 euros for each violation. Furthermore, Meijer is required to “request that sperm banks destroy any of his semen available to new parents.”  Our Take  The Man With 1000 Kids  vividly shows how Meijer’s actions have deeply scarred families. Many feel betrayed and worried about what it means for their children genetically, especially when they discover that they and their friends used Meijer’s sperm unknowingly. If you are interested in learning more about the gamete donating industry, The Man with 1000 Kids  is worth a watch.   The Man With 1000 Kids  reminds us of the importance to have written contracts in place, and lawyers for both parties, and ones with expertise in fertility law to review or draft your egg or sperm donation contracts.   The documentary is left with a bit of a hole in that it never speaks with Meijers even though he remains a public figure. Meijers denied an interview with Netflix for the documentary and states he feels misrepresented and has filed a lawsuit for slander for the statement that he swapped sperm with another donor.    The documentary poses ethical questions about gamete donation and whether the practice of gamete donation should remain unregulated. It shows that many clinics rely on the donor’s word before accepting a donor and some clinics are willing to overlook red flags in their eagerness to find donors. Many states in the United States still do not have laws or rules to punish donor deception. Nonetheless, lawmakers should proceed cautiously as unintended consequences could occur if regulation is not well thought-out. Also left unanswered are what the lasting psychological impact will be for donor conceived children when they discover they have hundreds of half-siblings.     Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?  Yes.   Despite its focused perspective, it offers compelling insights into the ethical and logistical challenges of the fertility industry. Watching The Man With 1000 Kids  not only offers a glimpse into a unique and troubling case but also invites viewers to consider the deeper ramifications of reproductive technologies and the complexities of family dynamics in today's world.   Stream it now on Netflix.   For expert guidance on fertility laws and legal advice on surrogacy and sperm donation, contact us now.

Harmony Gourson, a former surrogate and client of Tsong Law Group , openly shares her surrogacy journey on her online Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube audience to bring insight into a niche topic. We represented Harmony in her first journey with Chinese Intended Parents . In our latest interview, Harmony shares her first interests in being a surrogate, the challenges with dating, joyful memories, and personal moments that defined her experience. She hopes that she can educate potential surrogates or those unaware of the option with her platform and past experiences.  1. How did you decide to do surrogacy? I always knew that I wanted to be a surrogate since I was younger. I had a teacher who tried to be a surrogate for her friend and I just thought it was the coolest thing that she could help her friend by carrying her baby. That was kind of what first put the idea in my head. When I was about 24,  I felt it in my heart to do it.  2. What were you looking for when you chose your agency? I wasn't really looking for a specific agency  since I was just looking to be a surrogate. I had just seen my friend do surrogacy so I asked her where she did it. She sent me the agency and that's the agency I went with so I didn't do any research or ask any questions. I applied and got pushed through the process. If I were to do it again now, I would ask when they first became an agency. That's a big question and it might seem a little bit random, but I think it's a good way to look at how many cases they've had, how they've handled them, and how many case managers they have. Your experience will depend if you go with an agency that has 40+ applications a month versus an agency that has maybe five applications a month.  3. Did you kind of know which IPs you wanted to work with? Looking back, I didn't ask any questions. All I knew was I wanted to have a good relationship with them and I wanted my son to meet them. Those were my only two requirements when it came to matching. You can have such a different experience depending on whether you have an agency or independent, whether you have a big or small agency. I had a good experience but a lot of people that I know didn't have the best experience. If I were to do it again, I would want parents who live here so that we can have just a different dynamic.  4. How was it like working with Chinese intended parents? I didn't meet my first IPs until the day that I gave birth, which I thought was crazy. It ended up being fine but I wish that I would have met them prior to in the hospital when I gave birth.  My last IPs for the journey that didn't work out, I met up with them and had dinner with them before my transfer. I t was a different experience but I don't mind working with any race. I got to experience both a little bit and it was a more like close relationship that we created. When the transfer failed for my second journey, it just broke my heart so there were a lot more emotions even though it didn't end up progressing into a baby.  5. How did surrogacy affect dating? My first journey I was single. People obviously don't really want to date somebody who's pregnant, especially with someone’s baby, so dating while you're actively pregnant is hard. I started dating my now husband and he was really supportive of me. He gave me a lot of support especially after the failed embryo transfer and was always on the same page from the very beginning. He thought that it was so cool that I was able to help people and he understood the whole process. I really just think the biggest thing is if your partner is supportive of you through anything, then I'm sure that they'll be supportive of surrogacy. If you don't know what that process looks like, it's hard to really explain it to a partner. I think it was easier for me because I had already gone through it before, but if you've never gone through it, you're kind of going through it together. If they have a problem with it, then you shouldn't do it, because they might have valid concerns like “I'm not comfortable with you taking that risk” and so that has to be something that you both agree on, especially if you're married.  6. How did you explain to your child your surrogacy journey?   So he was almost five and I just waited until I was past the first trimester. I wanted to make sure that it was official before I explained it to him because he was so young and I didn't want to explain a miscarriage.  I sat him down and told him, sometimes mommy's really want to be mommy’s  but they're not able to so the doctor helps them and mommy’s, like me, carry the baby for them. Now he is almost 11 so if I were to do it again, I would just explain to him in a more mature conversation. I would explain how some people struggle to have babies because of infertility and some people just aren't as fortunate to have that experience so mommies help other mommies have babies. I would say if they are under three, then you wouldn't have to explain it.  I t was really important for me that he met the baby so it wasn't just like I had a baby and then all the sudden the baby's gone. He got to meet the grandma and family and experience what their dynamic is with the baby and see the baby that I carried. I think that was good closure for him. H e wrote on one of his school projects fun facts about you and one of the facts was like my mom had a Chinese baby.   It was so funny when he brought home the thing.  7. What are some things you did during your surrogacy pregnancy that differed from your pregnancies?  I think the only thing really was traveling. I traveled more during my regular pregnancies than my surrogacy pregnancies. I did travel once with my surrogacy pregnancy to go see my grandma in Utah but that was pretty early in my pregnancy. I didn't travel at all at the end because I have really rough pregnancies with morning sickness, so I'm not really able to do much.  8. Did you intend your posts on surrogacy to go viral? How did it change things for you? How do you approach the more negative comments?  I started my YouTube channel in 2014 so I was very young. I started off by doing makeup tutorials and get ready with me for cheer. It was definitely cringe when I look back on some of the videos. I just loved making videos that was just something that I love doing and then I started sharing my surrogacy journey. Because I shared everything, it wasn't really weird because I had already been posting on social media a lot.   I started sharing my experience as a surrogate and then my labor and delivery video  started to go viral. The labor and delivery video got millions, I wasn't expecting that but it was cool to reach a different audience I guess.  It depends on when you ask me this question because I'm human. Obviously I get triggered by things and I’ve definitely responded to the negative comments. I've had to learn to just block and delete and it took me a really long time to get to this point. I still work on it every day when I get a negative comment, but I have to remember this is my platform for me to share my experience so I can talk about whatever I want. People want to come on my page and tell me, X Y and Z I can just block them because it's my page.  Conclusion As our conversation with Harmony Gourson comes to an end, it’s clear that her journey as a surrogate was about creating lasting bonds and memories that will stay with her forever. Her openness offers valuable insights into the behind the scenes and rewards of surrogacy.  Harmony’s story serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the extraordinary ways we can support one another. Who we are: Tsong Law Group are surrogacy lawyers licensed in California, New York, Illinois, Washington, Oklahoma, and Arizona. Ralph Tsong is a 3-time Super Lawyer and Fellow of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) and the Academy of California Adoption-ART Lawyers (ACAL). We represent surrogates, intended parents, and donors.    Please contact us for a free consultation if you are embarking on a surrogacy or gamete donation journey.

What is legal insurance and how does it help in surrogacy? When starting a family formation journey, it's important to be prepared legally and financially. One way to help pay for your legal costs for your journey is with the assistance of legal insurance. What exactly is legal insurance, and how can it help you in your surrogacy journey? Let’s break it down in simple terms. Legal insurance is a special type of insurance that pays for legal services . Think of it like health insurance, but for legal matters—it can cover the costs of hiring a lawyer for things like reviewing contracts, handling disputes, or providing legal advice. In the context of your family formation case, legal insurance can be particularly helpful to cover costs of drafting or reviewing an agreement. ' Why legal insurance matters in family formation A third party reproductive journey involves a range of legal documents and agreements between intended parents, surrogates, donors, and sometimes surrogacy agencies. These documents can include surrogacy agreements, which outline the responsibilities and expectations of all parties involved; egg, sperm, or embryo donation agreements, which detail the terms of donation and parental rights; and adoption paperwork, whether it is a straightforward adoption or one where an adoption is needed to confirm parental rights of a parent for a foreign surrogacy arrangement or for a parent in a sperm donation case. Having legal insurance can help cover the costs, saving you money. Legal insurance providers we accept at Tsong Law Group At Tsong Law Group, we recognize the value of accessible legal services, particularly for complex matters like surrogacy ,   adoptions , and  donations  involving eggs, sperm, or embryos. That’s why we accept major legal insurance plans from top providers inclu ding: MetLife Legal Plans , LegalEASE , and ARAG Legal Insurance . Each offers distinct advantages to help you navigate your legal needs with confidence. MetLife Legal Plans  provides comprehensive coverage at an affordable cost, with access to over 18,000 qualified attorneys nationwide. Employers that offer MetLife Legal Plans include major corporations like Microsoft, Bank of America, Ebay, Meta, Boeing and Morgan Stanley.  We are one of the few surrogacy law and adoption specialists under MetLife Legal Plans.  Your coverage will vary depending on your employer but for some, MetLife will cover 20 hours of reproductive law, which will cover egg donation cases, a surrogacy agreement and part of a surrogacy parentage action. For others, Metlife may not cover reproductive law, but you may still be eligible for four hours of out-of-scope services which will cover a gamete donation agreement or count towards a surrogacy contract.  To check your Metlife benefits, we need your eligibility ID or membership number.  LegalEASE  has been a trusted name in legal insurance since 1971, offering plans that are often provided as employee benefits. Employers offering LegalEASE include Target, Google, CVS, and Stanley Black & Decker. Known for their expansive attorney network of over 20,560 vetted professionals, LegalEASE makes it easy for members to connect with the right attorney through their unique Compatibility/Matching System. Some LegalEASE cases will pay for your attorneys fees in full, for other cases you will be entitled to a discount on flat and hourly attorney fee rates.  ARAG Legal Insurance  is another legal insurance offering to University of California employees, California state employees, and employees at companies like Wells Fargo, the Cigna Group,  Mattel, and Oracle. ARAG was one of the first to offer reproductive law benefits. We accept ARAG for some egg, sperm and gamete donations cases, foster adoptions, and surrogacy agreement reviews. Where coverage is not found, you may still be entitled to reductions in flat or hourly rates. An honorable mention goes to Men Having Babies , a private organization. Members of Men Having Babies are entitled to 10% discounts and larger discounts if they qualify for the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) levels 1 or 2. By being qualified to provide services under these providers, Tsong Law Group provides an avenue for some clients to find discounts on their legal fees. Whether you’re navigating surrogacy, adoption, or other family-building options, we’re here to help you every step of the way.  How to check your eligibility If you’re interested in legal insurance, your first step should be to check with your employer. Many large employers offer legal insurance as part of their benefits package. Ask your Human Resources department if legal insurance is available to you and whether it covers surrogacy and related legal matters.  Other workplace legal benefits In addition to the main legal insurance providers, some workplaces offer other options like Workplace Options, a provider that partners with employers to offer legal services, and CLC (Certified Legal Counsel), which is another resource that some employers provide access to for various legal needs. These options can sometimes extend to cover surrogacy-related legal matters, so it’s worth exploring all the avenues available through your employer. Accessing Tsong Law Group with your plan Once you have your insurance or plan in place, the next step is to open up a case or matter, and you can then search for our name as a provider and request our service. We can assist you whether or not we are local to you, as long as you or your donor or your surrogate lives in one of our licensed states: California, Arizona, New York, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Washington.  Conclusion: The legal aspects of surrogacy, gamete donation, and adoption don’t have to be overwhelming. With the right legal insurance plan, you can have peace of mind knowing that your legal needs are covered, allowing you to focus on the joy of building your family. At Tsong Law Group, our experienced team of surrogacy, adoption and egg donation attorneys is here to guide you. We are licensed in California, Washington, New York, Arizona, Illinois, and Oklahoma.  Contact us today  to learn more about how we can support you on your surrogacy journey.

Building a family can be an emotional and financial challenge . Surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are valuable options for individuals and couples but the process can be expensive and complicated, so that’s where employer benefits come into play. By covering some of these costs as well as adoption costs, companies can make a huge difference for their employees. More and more companies are providing support for their employees’ family-building journeys. Among them are major players like Meta, Microsoft, Google, Walmart, and Starbucks. These companies are not just offering competitive salaries and healthcare benefits—they’re also providing support for surrogacy  and IVF. As the cost for pursuing surrogacy and IVF treatment increases, here’s a closer look at what these benefits mean and why they’re a big deal. What Do These Benefits Include? Financial Support . Many companies offer financial assistance for surrogacy and IVF procedures. This can include coverage for medical costs, medication, and other related expenses. For instance, Meta currently provides substantial financial aid to employees undergoing IVF treatments, covering a significant portion of the costs. Legal Insurance . Many companies also offer legal insurance, which has the benefit of offering discounts or covering legal fees for family building. A surrogacy or egg donation journey requires lawyers to draft or review their contract, and surrogacy cases will require parentage actions, so having legal insurance can eliminate this expense. Read more about legal insurance here.   Paid Time Off .  IVF and surrogacy can require multiple appointments and procedures. Companies like Microsoft offer paid leave specifically for employees going through IVF. This ensures that employees don’t have to choose between their treatment and their job. Counseling and Support Services . Emotional support is crucial during surrogacy and IVF. Companies such as Walmart provide access to counseling and support services to help employees navigate the emotional aspects of these journeys. Flexible Work Arrangements . Some companies like Starbucks understand that treatments and appointments can disrupt normal work schedules. To accommodate this, they offer flexible working hours and remote work options, helping employees balance their work and personal lives. More companies are leading the way in supporting their employees' family-building dreams by offering surrogacy benefits. These trailblazing companies go beyond standard healthcare benefits to provide financial support, paid leave, emotional counseling, and flexible work arrangements. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit plans, 40% of U.S. employers offer some form of fertility coverage. For example in 2024:   NVIDIA  (partnered with WINFertility) offers 100% surrogacy coverage, setting a new standard in the industry. Estee Lauder  provides up to $150,000 in surrogacy benefits. Snap Inc.  offers $80,000, and Netflix  (partnered Carrot Fertility) offers $90,000 per family, where both the employee and the employee’s spouse utilize the benefits. Walmart  (partnered with Kindbody) offers fertility and family-building care of up to $20,000.  Bain & Company (Fertifa)  , Bank of America (Progyny)  , The Boston Consulting Group (Progyny) , Tesla (Kindbody) , and  Chanel  all offer unlimited access to IVF treatments. KKR  (IVI RMA) , Pyramid Hotel Group, and  Spotify (Carrot Fertility) offer unlimited benefits for fertility treatments Companies like  Zillow  (Progyny) and Chobani  are starting to offer paid leave for non delivering parents following adoptions. Meta (Progyny) , Pinterest, Conair, and  the University of Maryland  (WINFertility) all offer $100,000 of coverage in fertility treatments.  Salesforce (Carrot Fertility) , Google (Carrot Fertility) , Linkedin (Progyny) , News Corporation, Disney (WINFertility, eligible full time and part time) , Morgan Stanley (Ovation Fertility) ,  and  Unilever  offer up to $75,000 in fertility benefits. This level of commitment shows that these companies value employee well-being and are dedicated to creating inclusive workplaces. If you’re curious about your company’s benefits, start by checking your employee handbook or contacting your HR department. They can provide detailed information on what’s covered and how to access these benefits.  Some people look for jobs, including part time jobs, for their IVF or third party reproduction benefits. Companies that offer fertility benefits to part time employees include Starbucks, Amazon, Walmart, Disney, and Tractor Supply Company.  Conclusion More and more companies are supporting employees by offering employee benefits that include coverage for surrogacy, IVF or adoption. If you’re considering surrogacy or IVF, a job that has these benefits will be an attractive feature. If you’re an employer, following these industry leaders by working with one of their fertility benefit partner companies could show your commitment to your employees’ well-being. Need help with surrogacy, adoption, or egg donation? At Tsong Law Group, our team of experienced lawyers is here to guide you. We’re licensed in California, Washington, New York, Arizona, Illinois, and Oklahoma, and we’re committed to making the legal process as clear and supportive as possible. Reach out to us today   to see how we can assist you through every step of your journey.

Ralph Tsong holds Australia close to his heart as an Australian native, here meeting with Stephen in 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. We had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen Page, distinguished Australian surrogacy lawyer and author of International Assisted Reproductive Technology,  and recently elected Secretary of the Fertility of Australia and New Zealand.  In contrast with the US, Australia’s policies on surrogacy are more restrictive and intended parents face challenges whether they pursue surrogacy at home or abroad. We are delighted to share our interview with Stephen and learn more about different surrogacy policies around the world. How did you get into the field of surrogacy and third party reproduction? It happened by accident. Back in 1988, I was working in a suburban office when a woman walked in and told me that she had just had a baby for a couple. It was clear she hadn’t gone through an IVF clinic, so it was a traditional surrogacy. She explained that the couple had paid her $10,000 to have the baby but now wanted to know if she could keep both the money and the child. At that time, Queensland, my home state, had recently passed legislation criminalizing all forms of surrogacy: traditional, gestational, commercial, and altruistic, whether carried out within Queensland or anywhere else in the world by a Queensland resident. By the time this woman came to me, surrogacy had become illegal. I advised her that, since the contract was illegal, she could likely keep both the money and the baby. I explained that, because she was the biological mother, her chances of winning in court were high, and, indeed, two similar cases had ended in favor of the surrogate. However, I also told her that it was unlikely the case would ever go to court, as the courts would probably avoid involvement, concerned that criminal offenses may have been committed. I never did go to court myself, but I’ve often wondered about that child. If he’s still alive, he would be in his twenties or thirties by now. I wonder if he was ever told the truth about how he came into the world. How much has changed in Australia regarding surrogacy since you first started practicing? Back in 1988, Queensland was the only state – and the first in the world – to declare all forms of surrogacy illegal, including surrogacy conducted abroad. I call this the "Queensland disease" because it simply doesn’t work, yet it’s been adopted in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Hong Kong, and more recently in Ireland. Despite these efforts, the approach remains ineffective. At the time, Australian states were horrified by the idea of surrogacy, and in response, they rushed to pass laws prohibiting it. Two high-profile cases influenced these decisions. One was the "Baby M" case in New Jersey, where a traditional surrogate was allowed to keep the baby. The other case occurred in Melbourne, where a woman gave birth to her sister's child via gestational surrogacy. The mother’s egg was used, and although it was a family arrangement, it still created panic among politicians, leading to widespread anti-surrogacy legislation. By 2005-2006, a Victorian senator, who later became a federal minister, highlighted a loophole that allowed surrogacy to continue in Victoria or New South Wales, which led to intense media coverage. In response, the federal attorney general urged the states to "regularize" surrogacy laws, arguing it was absurd for people to cross state lines to bypass legislation. The result was a consensus allowing altruistic surrogacy while maintaining a ban on commercial surrogacy. Over time, the Southern Territory adopted this stance between 2004 and 2012, and the Northern Territory followed by 2022. Today, surrogacy in Australia must be altruistic, which has led to a significant shortage of surrogates. Since Australians are unwilling to pay surrogates, very few women, unless they have a personal connection to the intended parents or a passion for the concept, are willing to take on the role, given the risks of pregnancy, childbirth, and potential complications. Everyone else involved in the process – lawyers, doctors, embryologists, nurses, judges, and counselors – gets paid, except for the surrogate, who is at the center of it all. This has created a traditional shortage of surrogates in the country.  The most recent data from 2021 showed that only 82 children were born via gestational surrogacy in Australia. Unfortunately, we don’t have exact figures for traditional surrogacy, but it's likely around 5-10% of that total. Meanwhile, during the same period, 376 children were born to Australians through overseas surrogacy arrangements, which represents a significant increase from prior years. Before, the highest number of overseas births was 275, recorded at the beginning of the pandemic. This growing gap between domestic and overseas surrogacies reflects the ongoing challenges and complexities of surrogacy laws in Australia. Is it still the case that Australian law prohibits compensating surrogates for their services? When Australians go overseas for surrogacy, the process becomes extremely complex. In six out of eight Australian jurisdictions, they could potentially violate commercial egg donation laws by using overseas egg donors. Additionally, in three jurisdictions—Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory—people could run afoul of extra-territorial commercial surrogacy laws. In South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, there are also long-standing laws concerning commercial surrogacy that could trip them up. This creates what I call a "third ring" of complications. The first ring involves egg donation, the second is surrogacy, and the third pertains to international adoption. If someone engages in overseas adoption, paying for the child or covering the birth mother's expenses, they could potentially commit an offense back in Australia. For surrogacy, some jurisdictions treat adoption as part of the process of becoming a legal parent. This presents risks. For example, in Minnesota, there’s a second-parent adoption option where the biological father is already recognized as the sole parent at the time of the transfer, so no offense is committed under Australian adoption laws. The surrogate isn’t paid during the parental transfer, making the process legally safer. However, in Iowa, the surrogate must give consent, especially when the second parent isn’t the biological parent. Since her consent is required, there’s potential for a violation, as this could be considered payment in exchange for relinquishing parental rights, which might trigger an offense under Australian laws. Is it true that, unlike in the U.S., surrogates in Australia are not compensated and that these surrogacy laws are relatively recent? In Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, surrogacy laws were introduced in 2010-2011, but Western Australia, with its population of around 2.5-2.6 million, operates under a different, more restrictive system. Western Australia’s surrogacy laws aim for a "perfect system" with so many checks and balances that, in practice, it becomes nearly impossible for most people to navigate. Currently, only heterosexual couples, single women, and lesbian couples are eligible for surrogacy in Western Australia (WA). However, this leaves out single men, gay couples, and many others in the LGBTQIA+ community. While constitutionally valid, the system excludes about half of the potential market. Despite efforts over the last seven years to change these laws, no progress has been made. Even for those who are eligible, the process is extremely complex. It requires mandatory counseling, a detailed plan about the surrogate’s role after birth, and certification from a doctor. Intended parents must also apply for preconception approval through the state, which includes a mandatory waitlist and a six-month cooling-off period. On top of this, the donor must be someone the parents know and must be a party to the agreement, undergoing counseling and legal advice at the intended parents’ expense. This makes the process expensive and cumbersome, as the intended parents must cover the legal and counseling fees for both the surrogate and the donor. As a result, surrogacy in WA is rare. In 2023, only three children were born through this system, an outlier compared to the typical one per year. Meanwhile, about 20 children born to WA residents were through international surrogacy arrangements. Nationally, in 2023, 376 children were born overseas through surrogacy, compared to 38 born locally in Australia—a staggering 11 to 1 ratio. The "perfect system" in Western Australia, while filled with checks and balances, is ultimately flawed. It excludes half the potential market and is so difficult to navigate that even those who qualify find it nearly impossible to proceed. Consequently, many WA residents opt to go overseas for surrogacy instead. What is the reaction you get when you tell people you are in this field?   Generally pretty positive. Most people think this is wonderful, they know about it, and they want to talk about it. But back in 2019, my husband and I had our daughter, she’s five, through surrogacy in Queensland. A journalist phoned me up and wanted to ask about what was new and interesting in the world of surrogacy. I said by disclosure, my husband and I had a baby through surrogacy in Queensland and we had to get this special ruling because there was uncertainty about parentage. He found that interesting and said, okay we are gonna do a story. The next thing you know, the photographer comes around the house, takes pictures of us. The head of the Australian Christian lobby ran a Facebook post mentioning the way of the devil and this little girl is forever being denied her mother. At which point all the trolls came on, and made these very hurtful, homophobic, remarks, it was really, really, really bad. In 2022, Pride was held in Sydney, the three of us marched as part of rainbow families, we had these yellow and pink “love makes a family” t-shirts. There was apparently a record, 500,000 people cheering on that year. And to have 500,000 people cheer on about us being parents and that was such a cathartic experience. Can you tell us about your recent book? The book is International Assisted Reproductive Technology:  Well, five lawyers walked into a room in Nashville in 2018 and agreed to write a book which had been requested by the American Bar Family Section about international assisted reproductive technology. The joke is that only the Australian wrote the book. Somehow I became the sole author of the book. It was originally designed to talk about international surrogacy. As I continued, I realized I wanted to talk about other aspects. There’s a chapter just dealing with LGBTQIA+ people and the particular challenges, like dealing with countries that criminalize same sex relationships, and some of the hidden barriers. There is a chapter on finding a lawyer overseas. Australia is the most multicultural country on Earth, according to statistics, apparently 51% of us were either born overseas or their parents were. There’s about a good proportion of Australians, about 10 or 15% of the children who are born in surrogacy destinations. I’ve had a number of couples go to Iran for surrogacy, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh. You are trying to find a lawyer in those places and oftentimes can be very, very difficult, and I don’t always succeed. It’s designed not to be an academic book that no one will ever read, this is a practical guide.  What are some of the biggest difficulties your Australian clients face when pursuing international surrogacy? There are three obvious ones. The first one is cost, and the cost to us at the moment is just out of our control, so that’s a challenge. The second one is where can they go, this is particularly so if you’ve got someone who's single or gay couple. For example, one transgender client transitioned from male to female, so it becomes quite difficult. One place may say that they accept gay couples, but won’t necessarily accept transgender. It’s a nonissue with the U.S. and Canada, but an issue with other places. The third one is the issue of risk, what places are risky. Since COVID pandemic, Canada has been very difficult to access for surrogacy because their agencies are dead and they have a shortage of surrogates. The U.S. has gone up in price considerably. Australian parents go to other destinations, like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, but they are riskier. Recently in Argentina where a judge’s father is a good friend of the pope, who is from Argentina, said that all surrogacy should be banned. He made an order that no child through surrogacy, and no child, whether it’s a local or foreigners, could get a birth certificate, or leave Argentina. I had a client trapped in that for 4 months, he eventually managed to get a birth certificate, which says he’s the father, and then says, at the bottom, that there’s no affiliation between the child and him, in other words, he’s not the father. All this for one document. There are other challenges for Australians other than the issue of criminality and making sure to not trip up laws back here. It’s not generally a problem for Australians bringing their children back. Australia in that respect is more open and welcoming in that respect than many countries in Europe, for example.  Having traveled the world to attend and speak at conferences, what is your favorite place to be, and are there any locations you would recommend? I’m amazed at where I’ve ended up. I didn’t expect to ever travel to many of the destinations that I have gone to. I’ll start with the least favorite, my least favorite was not because they weren’t welcoming, they were very welcoming, but it was because it was cold. It was Anchorage, Alaska. If you look at most of the airline schedules, they say, well, you fly from Brisbane to LA, then from LA up to Anchorage. I discovered there’s another way which was via Hawaii, so it’s straight across the pacific. I’m in love with Hawaii where it is about 70 degrees, and do the overnight flight. All the Alaskans are going home wearing their Hawaiian shirts, and you’d see flip flops and polo shirts. I thought I was gonna die, it was so cold! It was in the winter going to spring, I thought I had met my doom and gloom. I think the place that stands out to me above all others was Charleston. I spoke in Charleston in 2013, when the mass shooting happened some years later I was very upset about that because it just had an unique character, a lot of charm, that really sets it apart.   Is there any truth to the stereotype that Australians are easy going? Oh yeah, I think so, but everyone’s different, Australians are well travelers. We have to be, we are in one of the most isolated places on earth, so we are used to getting on a plane and being on our feet. We have to get on a plane for many areas to go somewhere else. If we need to go to the next city in Australia, we’d typically get on a plane, because they are so far apart. So if you are going on a domestic flight, it is only a matter of time when you are going on an international flight.  Do Americans have accents? What stereotypes do you have about Americans? Of course! Everyone has an accent! I think what surprised me when I first came to the U.S. in 2006 attending conferences was that the stereotypes of what was seen on TV about Americans were wrong. Americans were much more polite, demure, and didn’t swear as compared to what I’d seen and had expected.  Is Australian slang particularly amusing, especially considering how it can be quite entertaining for those unfamiliar with it? You know, I’m told because of Bluey being the number one show at the moment, the Americans are talking about dunnies, yeah, Australians generally don’t talk about the dunny , you might have someone talking about it, but typically we talk about the toilet or the loo. It was funny hearing it, dunny is the word because of Bluey.  Conclusion: We hope you enjoyed our interview with Stephen Page. Whether you’re an intended parent considering surrogacy or egg donation, or someone thinking about becoming a surrogate or egg donor, seeking guidance from a surrogacy lawyer is a crucial first step. At Tsong Law Group, our team of award-winning attorneys are recognized as Fellows of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) and the Academy of California Adoption-ART Lawyers (ACAL). Licensed in California, New York, Illinois, Washington, Oklahoma, and Arizona, we bring to the table our knowledge of the world of surrogacy law. Reach out to us today  for a consultation and let us support you on your journey.