What Should International Intended Parents Know Before Starting Surrogacy in California?

Legal, Financial & Professional Coordination

1. Do international intended parents need a U.S. attorney?

International intended parents should work with qualified legal professionals who can advise them about their individual circumstances.

A California surrogacy journey can involve agreements between intended parents and a gestational carrier, parentage considerations, and other legal matters. International families may also have additional questions related to their home country.

Westwood can help connect intended parents with appropriate legal professionals, but legal advice should always come from an independently qualified attorney.

2. How are escrow and financial arrangements handled in a surrogacy journey?

Surrogacy journeys commonly involve financial arrangements for compensation, expenses, and other approved costs.

Depending on the structure of the case, an independent escrow or attorney trust account may be used to manage funds according to the applicable agreements.

Westwood helps coordinate the professionals involved in the process, while financial and legal professionals are responsible for the administration and handling of funds.

3. What insurance considerations should international intended parents know about?

Insurance is an important part of planning a surrogacy journey.

The appropriate insurance arrangements can depend on the gestational carrier, the intended parents' circumstances, the available insurance options, and the medical care involved.

International intended parents should understand how pregnancy-related medical expenses will be addressed before beginning the pregnancy.

Westwood can help coordinate with qualified insurance professionals so intended parents can better understand the options available for their specific journey.

4. Does Westwood provide medical or legal advice?

Westwood Surrogacy is a surrogacy coordination agency and is not a medical provider or law firm.

Medical decisions are made by qualified healthcare professionals, and legal advice is provided by independent attorneys.

Westwood's role is to help coordinate the different professionals and services involved in the surrogacy journey and provide personalized support to intended parents and gestational carriers.