Surrogacy contracts can feel intimidating, technical and overwhelming... but they’re one of the most important parts of the entire surrogacy journey.

In this episode of "Let’s Talk Surrogacy", we’re joined by Joanna Beck Wilkinson, an attorney and founding member of Foster + Bloom, to break down what a surrogacy contract actually does, why it’s more than “just paperwork" and how it protects both the surrogate and the intended parents.

Joanna walks through the biggest areas of a surrogacy contract where misunderstandings can happen, including pregnancy management, termination language and confidentiality in the age of social media.

Whether you’re a first-time surrogate staring at a long contract, or an intended parent trying to understand what’s standard, what’s negotiable and what’s a red flag, this conversation will help you feel more prepared, more confident and more protected before anything is signed.

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Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments!

Learn more or start your surrogacy journey:
Website: https://www.americansurrogacy.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/american_surrogacy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/american.surrogacy

If you are interested in becoming a surrogate, please visit:
https://www.americansurrogacy.com/surrogate/surrogate_free_info?ref=asytsur

If you are ready to get started as an intended parent please visit: 
https://www.americansurrogacy.com/parents/parents_free_info?ref=asytip

00:00 - Intro
00:15 - What Brought Joanna to Family-Building Law
01:08 - What is a Surrogacy Contract? [Process Explained]
02:21 - Important, Underestimated Areas of a Surrogacy Contract
08:07 - How Contracts Protect Surrogates
09:36 - Contract Terms that Surprise Intended Parents
10:11 - Why Intended Parents' Attorneys Write the First Contract Draft
11:12 - Do Intended Parents Pay for the Surrogate's Attorney?
12:41 - The Contract Review & Negotiation Process
15:09 - What Does "Legal Clearance" Mean?
15:51 - Legal Clarity on Parental Rights
17:12 - Why the First Draft of a Contract Feels One-Sided
18:16 - Advocating for Yourself in the Contract Phase
19:30 - Factors of the Contract Phase's Timeline
20:41 - Costs Intended Parents are Responsible For During the Legal Phase
23:02 - Working with Surrogacy Attorneys vs. General Practice Attorneys
24:17 - Are Surrogacy Contracts Legally Enforceable?
26:18 - What are Surrogacy Contract Amendments?
27:00 - State Statutes Basics for Surrogacy Contracts
27:51 - Contract Enforceability by Jurisdiction
30:22 - What are Contract Provisions?
30:55 - American Surrogacy's Independent Program
31:30 - Risks of Independent vs. Agency-Supported Surrogacy Contracts
33:46 - Improved Outcomes with a Coordinated Legal & Agency Team
34:42 - The Emotions of Surrogacy Contracts
37:28 - The Importance of Independent Contract Reviews
38:36 - Joanna's Advice Before Signing the Contract
39:56 - Misconceptions of Surrogacy Contracts
40:33 - Where to Go for Trustworthy, Legal Guidance on Surrogacy
41:52 - Outro

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