Jay Timmons and Rick Olson, a Virginia-based couple, started their family with the help of surrogacy. They had two amazing daughters and thought their family was complete when a friend asked if they would be willing to consider an embryo donation. For their third child, the dads were matched with a surrogate in Wisconsin. However, just weeks before the birth of their son, a new judge was appointed to their case, for what they thought were routine judicial proceedings. The judge’s extreme views lead their family to experience a nightmare of epic proportions.

Listen to Jay and Rick’s remarkable story of perseverance through unimaginable hardship, and their dedication to ensure that no other parent experience the same pain. They discuss with Ellen and Jenn:

• Their background and the start of their journey in Virginia.

• Exploring adoption but being told they would have to lie about their sexuality.

• Turning to surrogacy and having two baby girls.

• Receiving two embryos from a friend and conceiving a baby boy.

• A new judge taking their case in Wisconsin and appointing a guardian ad litem.

• The judge’s ruling characterizing them as human traffickers(!) and denying them parental rights of their son.

• The judge (fortunately) resigning.

• Being assigned a new judge who overturned the nightmare judge’s ruling.

• Working to change the laws in Virginia and elsewhere to make sure this doesn’t happen to others.

• The passing of Jacob’s Law.

• Their advice to hopeful parents.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/