Couples Struggling with Fertility
Fertility issues should not dissuade you from starting your own family. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12% of married couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. In heterosexual couples, approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third is attributed to the male partner, and the remaining one-third is either caused by a combination of issues in both partners or is unexplained. (www.asrm.org). Assisted Reproductive Technology provides a solution for an array of fertility issues. The laws governing the State of Florida allow for egg donation, sperm donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy.
For any questions regarding your journey to have your own family, please contact us at 813-397-3712 or info@barrios-law.com for a free consultation.
Same-Sex Couples
Since the 2015 United States Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, the surrogacy and pre-planned adoption processes are far more accessible to same-sex couples. Despite this progress, LGBTQ+ parents still face greater legal obstacles than heterosexual parents. Legal concerns for LGBTQ+ people are generally impacted by the state in which you reside, your preferred path to parenthood, and and your relationship status.
We provide customized representation to ensure your rights are protected. Please contact us for a free consultation concerning your same-sex surrogacy or preplanned adoption at 813-731-4667 or info@barrios-law.com.
International Clients
Many countries do not permit surrogacy or lack national standards, medical advances, and legal protections that the United States offers. Even intended parents who do not reside in the United States or Florida can take advantage of Florida law which protects the rights of intended parents, embryos, the surrogate and the future children. Laws of foreign countries may present additional obstacles for the intended parents, even if both parents are named on the birth certificate.
We will work closely with attorneys retained by our clients in their home countries to help ensure a seamless transition home. Our services include preparing additional legal provisions for your surrogacy and/or donor agreements; researching birth certificate requirements in your home country; and assisting you with obtaining apostilled documents for your return home. We engage high-quality interpreters to assist during reviews of contracts and parental establishment documents so that you understand every step of the legal process.
We ensure that the process is legal, safe, and ethical. It is our goal to provide a comfortable surrogacy journey for all intended parents, regardless of their country of residence.
For any questions regarding the specifics of your case and home country, please contact us at 813-731-4667 or info@barrios-law.com for a free consultation.
Cancer Survivors
“76% of cancer survivors wish to have children.”
Various cancers and cancer treatments can affect the reproductive process. The National Comprehensive Cancer Care Network (NCCN) guidelines recognize the impact of cancer care on future fertility and recommend patients speak to their healthcare provider regarding the possibility of infertility and potential therapy options available before initiating cancer treatment.
As a cancer survivor, Roia Barrios can relate to your fertility issues. While much of the focus in the new field of oncofertility has been on preserving cancer patients’ fertility, the preservation and use of frozen eggs, sperm, embryos, or ovarian tissue following cancer treatment is becoming increasingly more important. With and without preserved genetic material, surrogacy is a viable option for cancer survivors.
We ensure that the process is legal, safe, and ethical. For any questions regarding the specifics of your case, please schedule a free consultation with us by contacting us at 813-731-4667 or info@barrios-law.com.
Future Parents
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is becoming increasingly popular amongst women who do not immediately want to become mothers but anticipate it in the future. It is a fertility treatment in which a woman’s mature eggs are harvested from her ovaries, frozen unfertilized, and stored for later use when she is ready to become pregnant. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has lifted the “experimental” label from this procedure. The younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the better your chances are for ultimately getting pregnant. Women may elect to freeze their eggs for a myriad of reasons.
A couple or individual can also opt to fertilize the egg prior to freezing. Embryo cryopreservation is the process of freezing and storing embryos. They embryos are then thawed and used at a later time. This is an essential part of most IVF programs. Couples who elect fertilization procedures should also define each partner’s rights in the event of divorce, separation, or death.
Fertility clinics generally have standard forms that protect their interests, but they will not always entirely reflect your rights or intentions. It is advisable to have forms and agreements reviewed to ensure that they protect your interests too.
If you have any questions regarding medical forms, please contact our office for a free consultation at 813-731-4667 or info@barrios-law.com.