Chicago Attorneys for Assisted Reproductive Technology
Assisted Reproductive Technology for LGBTQ+ Families
At Metz & Jones LLC, we proudly serve the LGBTQ+ community and individuals seeking to grow their families through assisted reproductive technology (ART). Our experienced surrogacy attorneys in Chicago provide knowledgeable legal guidance through every step of the process. We help intended parents, surrogates, and donors protect their rights and build families with confidence.
With over 40 years of legal experience, our firm has earned a reputation for combining professional excellence and compassion. Whether you’re exploring surrogacy, adoption, or other family-building options, we can help. Our lawyers will ensure that every agreement meets Illinois’ legal requirements and your personal goals. We stay on top of the challenging and ever-changing legal field that is LGBTQ+ family law, including laws affecting ART.
Why Work With an Assisted Reproductive Attorney?
Every assisted reproduction arrangement involves deeply personal and complex legal issues. Having a skilled surrogacy lawyer on your side ensures that your rights are fully protected.
At Metz & Jones LLC, we help clients:
- Draft and review surrogacy and donor agreements
- Ensure compliance with the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act
- Clarify parental rights and responsibilities before birth
- Work with medical providers, donor facilities, and Illinois surrogate agencies to secure and provide the required documentation
- Avoid disputes that could jeopardize the intended parents’ legal relationship with their child
By working with a trusted surrogacy law firm, you gain peace of mind knowing that every document is clear and enforceable.
Understanding the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act
Illinois is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the nation. Under the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act, intended parents can secure parental rights without the need for post-birth adoption.
To qualify under the Act:
- The parties must have a written surrogacy agreement that meets specific legal criteria.
- The gestational carrier (surrogate) and all other parties involved must sign official statements that affirm their consent to the child’s established parentage.
- A licensed physician must also sign a certified statement that confirms the child being carried by the surrogate is the biological child of the intended parent(s). It must also state that the gestational surrogate and her spouse/partner, if any, are not biological parents of the child. (This statement must be signed by a physician licensed in the state where the egg was inseminated or the embryo was transferred.)
- All attorneys representing involved parties must sign separate certified statements.
- Official statements must be executed before the birth.
At Metz & Jones LLC, our lawyers are well-versed in gestational surrogacy law. We will guide you through each step to ensure compliance and a smooth, legally secure process.
Comprehensive Legal Support for Surrogacy & Donor Agreements
Assisted reproductive technology can involve multiple parties: intended parents, surrogates, and donors. Each deserves legal protection and clear expectations. Our attorneys handle:
- Sperm Donor Agreements: Ensuring that known donors formally relinquish custody and visitation rights while consenting to the intended parents’ legal recognition.
- Egg Donor Agreements: Clarifying parental rights and responsibilities to avoid unintended legal consequences.
- Surrogacy Contracts: Outlining responsibilities, medical decisions, and compensation in compliance with Illinois law.
- Unknown Donor Contracts: Providing legal guidance for situations involving anonymous or unidentified donors.
Your family’s future deserves meticulous care and protection. Our assisted reproductive technology attorneys will help you create agreements that safeguard your intentions and relationships from the beginning.
Letters & Documentation for Medical Providers
Many medical providers and donor agencies require written confirmation that you’ve received legal counsel before beginning reproductive procedures. Metz & Jones regularly provides these documents, including:
- Parenting agreements between partners
- Letters confirming legal consultation on parental rights and adoption options
Because we also handle adoption law, we can coordinate all necessary documentation to meet provider requirements.
Experienced. Compassionate. LGBTQ+ Focused.
For over four decades, Metz & Jones LLC has been a trusted ally for Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Our attorneys combine deep legal knowledge with genuine compassion for the families we serve.
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with assisted reproduction. Our firm takes pride in helping clients achieve their dreams of building a family with confidence and clarity.
Contact a Chicago Surrogacy Attorney
If you’re considering surrogacy or other forms of assisted reproduction, our surrogacy lawyers in Chicago are here to help. Call Metz & Jones LLC today at (773) 878-4480 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community and Friends in Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois.