Both surrogates and intended parents engaged in surrogacy journeys should know about paid family leave in their state. P aid Family Leave (PFL) laws  can reduce the financial burden on intended parents when surrogates experience pregnancy-related conditions that prevent them from working. Additionally, intended parents can utilize paid family leave programs to bond with their newborn children. We recommend consulting with your surrogacy lawyer about how these laws can be incorporated into your surrogacy contract. Here is a summary of new PFL laws coming into effect in 2025: State Effective Date Changes/Benefits California January 1, 2025 Increased Paid Family Leave (PFL) and Disability Insurance (DI) benefits. 90% coverage for those earning $63,000 or less, and 70% coverage for those earning more. Applications for PFL and DI can be submitted 30 days before anticipated leave. Employers cannot require employees to use vacation time before accessing PFL benefits. Mandatory paid sick leave increases from three to five days annually. Maine Contributions Begin: January 2025; Benefits Available: May 2026 Up to 12 weeks of paid leave within a 12-month period. Coverage for pregnancy-related conditions. Income replacement based on average weekly wage, with higher rates for lower earners. Retaliation against employees using PFML is prohibited M assachusetts January 1, 2025 Maximum weekly PFML benefit is increased to $1,170.64. Employees can supplement PFML benefits with accrued paid leave. Strong job protection provisions remain. Connecticut January 1, 2025 Broaden eligibility criteria for employees and family members, qualifying reasons for leave, and accrual rates​ Accrual: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. Can carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick leave annually. Eligibility for paid leave begins by the 120th day of employment. Michigan February 21, 2025 The Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) enhances protections for Michigan workers, making paid sick leave more accessible Accrual: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. Up to 72 hours leave annually (40 hours paid plus 32 hours unpaid for smaller employers). Leave covers personal or family illness, injury, or health condition, and preventative care. Washington January 1, 2025 Expansion of family member definitions for leave coverage. Comprehensive paid medical leave program remains, including pregnancy and childbirth recovery. Additional leave for pregnancy complications. Job protection during leave periods. Oregon January 1, 2025 Applies to employers with more than 25 employees:  Eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid benefits annually, with an additional 2 weeks for pregnancy-related conditions. Family leave for bonding or caring for a family member Safe leave for domestic violence or harassment, and  Leave for legal processes relating to foster child placement or adoption  Remember that these laws are just the ones from 2025, some states have existing laws that provide PFL for pregnancy disability or care of a family member. They also represent minimum requirements, and some employers may offer more generous leave benefits. Always check with your employer and surrogacy agency about specific policies and protections available to you.  If you have any questions about how these new paid leave laws may impact you as a surrogate or an intended parent, please contact a qualified surrogacy lawyer.  Attorney Ralph Tsong has spent over a decade practicing employment law and understanding the highly technical aspects of family leave law. He now applies that knowledge to help intended parents and surrogates understand how leave law can benefit them. Contact us   today to ensure you're fully informed about and protected under the latest regulations.

When starting a surrogacy  journey, one important decision is whether you need an escrow account. Let’s explain what an escrow account is and why it’s helpful for surrogacy. Escrow accounts are common in surrogacy journeys because of its safety measures. In surrogacy, intended parents deposit funds into an account either handled by a licensed escrow company or an attorney trust account (sometimes called a trust not an escrow). The escrow account is typically set up at the matching stage of a surrogacy when an agency is involved, or later in independent cases. The funds deposited in escrow are used to pay the surrogate’s compensation and other surrogacy expenses like medical bills, legal fees and reimbursements. The escrow account holder will issue payments following the agreed contract.  Is an Escrow Account required? You may be required to have an escrow account depending on the state law that applies to your surrogacy agreement. Sometimes the parties use the state laws where the intended parents live, the state of the surrogate, or the law of another state that is related to the match in some way.  Here is a map of the states that require escrow or an attorney trust account for surrogacy. California  and Washington ’s laws are unique in that independent journeys do not require escrow but ones involving a matching agency do. Virginia requires a gestational surrogacy agreement to address how expenses will be paid and guaranteed either through escrow, cash, or bonds.  Why Is Escrow Important? Whether your contract is in a state that requires escrow or not, escrow is still advisable for most journeys, even though it adds to the cost of the journey. When managed by the escrow company, having an escrow account ensures that all payments under the surrogacy agreement are made in a timely manner. This reduces the time that intended parents need to spend on the case making and monitoring payments. Escrow accounts reduce risk in most cases, such as late payments, insufficient funds, or funds being misused if entrusted to the agency. By entrusting a neutral third party to manage the account, both parties can avoid potential disputes or financial mismanagement. For surrogates, escrow is very important because it means intended parents cannot withhold payments that are due, nor will the surrogate need to go to court to receive a payment she is due if the escrow is still open. With international intended parents, surrogates will have a very hard time getting bills paid or compensation due if the intended parents do not pay and no escrow is in place. The escrow is usually kept open for sufficient time to ensure that money is available months after the journey is completed.  What about the downsides? The downsides for some intended parents is the cost. However, escrow companies do not charge extra for the length of the journey, and the amount escrow companies charge is relatively low compared to the length of time escrow is in place and the amount of work the escrow does.  Another downside to many is the fear that placing the money with a third party is not safe. We understand it would be devastating if funds in escrow were lost or stolen. For tips on how to choose an escrow company to avoid the risk of theft by the escrow, check out our recent blog,   Worst Case Scenario: Problems with Your Escrow Company . Another downside to some is the fear that money will be tied up in escrow and the journey may not be successful, and then these funds cannot be used. Despite this fear, the parties can agree to keep minimum balances lower after the journey, or have a shorter time frame for closing the escrow if there was no successful pregnancy.  For the surrogate, an escrow account should be on her checklist of requirements for a match. For intended parents, the cost is low and with adequate research, a trustworthy escrow account can be chosen.  Conclusion Using an escrow account for your surrogacy journey is a smart way to keep track of funds and ensure that payments under the surrogacy agreement are made and funding is there for the whole journey. In some states, it is required you have an escrow account. Intended parents and surrogates should both have a dependable attorney that is knowledgeable about what is required and optimal for escrow accounts in surrogacy. Reach out to Tsong Law Group today  as you start your surrogacy journey.

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.

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.

Released on October 8, 2024, a new book called Save Money on Surrogacy: How to Save $100,000+ on Surrogacy in the United States   by Yifat Shaltiel, Esq. shares surrogacy industry secrets and hacks to make your surrogacy journey more affordable. Yifat Shaltiel, a surrogacy lawyer and agency owner of Surrogate Steps, wrote her book to act as an informational guide to help others grow their families while saving as much money as possible so that more families can access surrogacy and advanced reproductive technology.  Book Review: Yifat Shaltiel’s book is a roadmap to navigate a surrogacy journey  without breaking the bank. Previous guides we have seen  focus on the basic steps of the surrogacy journey, whereas this book shares how to save money at each step. Shaltiel does an incredible job of blending legal expertise with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone considering surrogacy to grow their family.  The book is especially helpful in breaking down the many ways a surrogacy journey can differ. She answers a common question “how much is a surrogacy journey” by emphasizing that there are many factors that can impact cost. For instance, she explains the option of paying for an agency’s matching services or going without one to save costs. The pros and cons are laid out clearly: while skipping an agency can save money, it also means you’re responsible for more of the planning, which takes time and effort. The same goes for fertility clinics—Shaltiel offers excellent advice on what to look for and how to verify statistics, which can make a big difference in both costs and results.    Surrogates are compensated a base amount on top of out of pocket fees, lost wages due to traveling for medical appointments, and possibly travel costs if they have to fly to attend appointments. Shaltiel shares that regardless of where IPs are located, the location of the surrogate affects the total cost of the surrogacy journey. It is helpful to understand which states have higher surrogate base compensation when you are in the process of working with an agency or proceeding with an independent journey to select a surrogate. Base compensation can vary significantly between states but it is not always determined by cost of living. This chapter in the book can help IPs narrow down the states when they are searching for a surrogate match.  Some journeys can be altruistic where the surrogate is not getting compensated by the intended parents (IPs). The total cost of a surrogacy journey can decrease significantly if the surrogate is not being compensated, like a family member volunteering to be a surrogate. An altruistic surrogacy journey will significantly reduce the costs since there is no base compensation.  Another important area the book covers is health insurance options for IPs if their surrogate does not have surrogacy-friendly insurance. Insurance is important to cover any medical costs or unexpected complications. She compares multiple scenarios with different insurance options so that readers can decide what is best for their situation.  Real-life experiences, like those shared by a couple who had two successful surrogacy journeys with Shaltiel’s agency Surrogate Steps , show how Shaltiel’s recommendations worked for them. They were able to cut costs in ways they had not expected, which makes this book a must-read for anyone considering surrogacy and who is looking for helpful tips affording the process. Save Money on Surrogacy is filled with insider knowledge and advice that can make the difference between a costly journey and one that is more affordable and manageable. Conclusion:   These are just a few key points that make this guide stand out but Save Money on Surrogacy  has many more points to reveal to the reader. Shaltiel has taken her experience and personal journey and transformed it into a guide that offers practical, money-saving tips for every step of the process.  For further reading on ways to save money on your surrogacy journey, check out our articles on Seedcoach, our financial coaching program, our blog on surrogacy grants , and using employee benefits  like legal insurance  for your IVF journey. We at Tsong Law Group are here to assist you with the legal needs of your surrogacy journey. Our surrogacy attorneys, licensed in California, Washington, New York, Arizona, Illinois, and Oklahoma are ready to support you every step of the way. Contact us now to get started.