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At Fisher Jones Greenwood, we understand that families are formed in diverse ways. Our specialist family law team provides expert guidance through the complex legal landscape of assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern parenting arrangements.
Whether you’re considering fertility treatment, exploring surrogacy options, or navigating the legal implications of co-parenting, our specialists offer clear, compassionate advice tailored to your unique situation.
With offices strategically located across Essex, including Billericay, Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Sudbury, and London, we are always within reach to offer tailored assistance that meets your specific needs.
For advice, contact us via our online enquiry form or call 0845 543 5700.
For individuals and couples pursuing fertility treatments, our solicitors provide comprehensive legal support to ensure you understand your rights and obligations throughout the process. Our services include advice on legal parenthood following assisted reproduction, guidance on donor conception legal implications, support with clinic consent forms and agreements, and legal advice regarding embryo storage and use.
Our surrogacy law specialists guide intended parents and surrogates through every legal aspect of the surrogacy journey. We understand that surrogacy involves complex emotional and legal considerations that require careful planning and expert guidance. Our comprehensive support covers advice on UK and international surrogacy options, preparation of surrogacy agreements, guidance through the Parental Order application process, support with immigration issues for children born abroad, and legal representation throughout the process.
For those creating families through co-parenting or known donor arrangements, we offer specialist legal support to establish clear frameworks from the outset. These arrangements require careful documentation to protect all parties, particularly the children. Our services encompass drafting of co-parenting agreements, legal advice on known donor arrangements, guidance on parental responsibility, support with parental order applications, and assistance with disputes and changing circumstances.
We provide expert advice on establishing and maintaining parental rights in modern family structures. The legal landscape around parenthood continues to evolve, and we help clients navigate these complexities with confidence. Our expertise covers establishing legal parenthood in complex family structures, obtaining parental responsibility for step-parents and partners, navigating parenthood issues for same-sex couples, resolving disputes over parental status, changing children’s legal status through adoption or Court orders, and private adoption processes.
Our approach to fertility and parenting law is built on specialist expertise, ensuring our solicitors stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving area of law. We maintain an inclusive approach that supports families of all structures with sensitivity and understanding, while providing practical guidance that translates complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice. Our comprehensive service gives you access to specialists across family law, immigration, and Wills, all delivered with a client-focused approach that provides discrete, compassionate support through emotionally significant decisions.
Creating a family through assisted reproduction, surrogacy, or co-parenting involves navigating complex legal frameworks and social change. Our solicitors help you establish legal certainty from the outset, preventing potential disputes and protecting everyone involved.
We work proactively to ensure your parental rights are secure, your agreements are robust, and your family has the legal protection it deserves.
Our reputation speaks for itself – we are highly recommended and recognised at the highest level in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners legal directories for our expertise and dedication. This recognition reflects our commitment to excellence and the consistently high standards we maintain across all areas of our practice.
Building your family is one of life’s most important journeys. Let us help you navigate the legal aspects with confidence and clarity.
Please get in touch with us via our online enquiry form or call 0845 543 5700 for a guaranteed response.
Recent case law has highlighted the importance of parties seeking independent legal advice before entering into a surrogacy arrangement. ...
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For more than four decades, Fisher Jones Greenwood has provided expert legal advice to individuals and businesses throughout Essex, Suffolk, and London. Our dedicated team of solicitors is committed to delivering practical solutions for your legal matters. Contact us on 08455 435 700 or via our online enquiry form to schedule a consultation.
Request A CallbackWhat is fertility law?
Fertility law covers the legal aspects of assisted reproduction, including legal parenthood following fertility treatment, donor conception rights, surrogacy, and co-parenting arrangements. This area of law addresses who is legally recognised as a child’s parent when conception occurs through means other than natural conception.
Who is legally considered the parent after fertility treatment?
Legal parenthood following fertility treatment depends on several factors, including marital status, who provided genetic material, and whether treatment took place at a licensed UK clinic. For example, if a woman receives treatment at a licensed UK clinic and her partner consents, that partner will typically be the legal second parent regardless of biological connection. However, the rules differ for unmarried couples, same-sex couples, and treatment abroad.
What is a Parental Order and when is it needed?
A Parental Order is a Court order that transfers legal parenthood from a surrogate (and her spouse, if she has one) to the intended parents. The surrogate is always the legal mother at birth in the UK, regardless of genetic connection. At least one intended parent must be genetically related to the child, and the application must be made within six months of the child’s birth.
Are surrogacy agreements legally binding in the UK?
No, surrogacy agreements are not legally enforceable in the UK. While they set out the intentions of all parties and are strongly recommended, they cannot be enforced if the surrogate changes her mind. Commercial surrogacy arrangements (where the surrogate receives payment beyond reasonable expenses) are prohibited in the UK.
What is the legal position for international surrogacy?
International surrogacy involves navigating both UK law and the law of the country where the surrogate lives. This can create complex legal issues around immigration, citizenship, and recognition of parenthood. Children born through international surrogacy may need specific immigration clearance to enter the UK, and intended parents will still need to apply for a Parental Order in the UK Courts.
What legal protections should be in place for known donor arrangements?
When using a known donor (such as a friend), it is important to clarify expectations about the donor’s role in the child’s life, contact arrangements, and parental responsibilities and make a clear record in writing While not legally binding, these agreements demonstrate intentions and can be valuable if disputes arise later. The legal parenthood status will depend on how conception takes place and the relationship status of the recipients.
How does co-parenting differ legally from other parenting arrangements?
Co-parenting typically involves two or more adults who are not in a romantic relationship agreeing to conceive and raise a child together. This creates distinct legal considerations around parental responsibility, decision-making authority, living arrangements, and financial support. A co-parenting agreement, while not legally binding, can provide a framework for these arrangements and help prevent future disputes.
Can step-parents obtain parental responsibility?
Yes, step-parents can obtain parental responsibility through a Parental Responsibility Agreement (if all those with parental responsibility agree), a Court order, or by adopting the child. Having parental responsibility allows step-parents to make important decisions about the child’s upbringing.
How is legal parenthood established for same-sex couples?
For female same-sex couples, if they are married or in a civil partnership and conception occurs at a licensed UK clinic, both women will be legal parents. The non-birth mother will be the “other parent” on the birth certificate. For male same-sex couples, the path to legal parenthood typically involves surrogacy and a Parental Order, or adoption.
If you have any comments on the contents of the family pages of this website or there is anything else that you think would be helpful for us to include in the future, please contact us on 0845 543 5700 or via our online enquiry form.
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