Indiana Family Lawyer Blog
Surrogacy laws vary by state. Indiana law currently holds that all surrogacy contracts are void and unenforceable. However, Indiana law does not prohibit the act of surrogacy itself, and recent court rulings have been favorable to surrogacy. Indiana has strong case law on the establishment of parentage in the biological parents of a child born through gestational surrogacy (In re Paternity and Maternity of Infant R., 922 N.E.2d 59 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010)). Despite Indiana’s antiquated statute, surrogacy agreements are still completed in Indiana for the following reasons:
1. Experienced assisted reproductive professionals require surrogacy agreements. Most physicians and fertility clinics do not permit parties to enter into a surrogacy arrangement without a contract. Mental health specialists and reproductive law attorneys often have a similar requirement.
2. Surrogacy agreements delineate the parties’ expectations, liabilities, and responsibilities. Surrogacy contracts provide stability by ensuring that everyone is on the same page. These agreements contain carefully drafted provisions that address every aspect of the surrogacy, from confidentiality to the payment schedule. They also foster accountability among the parties. Additionally, surrogacy contracts diminish the potential for disputes, as parties can refer to the agreement for guidance in the event of an uncertainty.
3. There is potential for enforceability in Indiana. Very little guidance from the courts exists regarding enforceability. Therefore, certain provisions may be enforceable under Indiana law based upon equity, performance, and the best interests of the child. Surrogacy agreements typically contain a severability clause, which states that if a court invalidates some part(s) of a contract, the remainder of the agreement will be enforceable. Indiana courts may also admit surrogacy contracts as evidence of intent should a dispute arise.
The attorneys of Harden Jackson Law are devoted to servicing clients throughout the Indianapolis area and the state of Indiana in all areas family law, including divorce, custody, child support, property division, paternity, post-divorce modifications, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, simple wills, adoption, surrogacy and other areas of assisted reproductive technology law. For more information, please contact us at 317.569.0770 or www.hardenjacksonlaw.com.
Remember, these blog posts are not meant to be legal advice. You should consult a family law attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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