Surrogacy is not the most common of routes to becoming a parent, but it is still a legal option for budding families in the UK. Surrogacy is one of a few options on the table for couples that can’t conceive via conventional means, and an undeniably personal way to foster a relationship with a new child – even if someone else is carrying it to term. If you are thinking of starting a surrogacy journey, you will want to do so with confidence and clarity.
Careful planning, open communication and a functional understanding of the UK’s legal framework with respect to surrogacy are all crucial aspects of a smooth and manageable process for everyone involved. Here, you’ll find some valuable information on the surrogacy process and how best to navigate it – if not for a stress-free experience, then for a lower-stress experience with the most desired outcome.
The Legal And Practical Foundations Of Surrogacy In The UK
Before you make any steps towards a surrogacy agreement with somebody, it is absolutely crucial that you familiarise yourself with UK surrogacy law, parental orders and the legal status of intended parents and surrogates. There are various ways in which a surrogacy agreement can be approached, but the correct legal steps must be taken to ensure parenthood after birth.
Here, it is important to understand a key point about the legality of surrogacy in the UK; it is legal, but surrogacy agreements are individually drawn between surrogates and prospective parents – and cannot be legally enforced on anyone’s behalf. Still, for matters of parental orders, it is helpful to engage the services of a family law solicitor.
Building Strong Communication And Support Systems
A surrogacy agreement is a fundamentally civil matter, and one that requires a strong interpersonal connection or incentive between parents and surrogate. This means honest, respectful communication needs to take centre stage, and support systems need to be established early.
Considering there is no real legal grounds for enforcement of drawn-up surrogacy agreements, the maintenance of a positive relationship is fundamental to social adherence to that agreement. Explain how counselling, support groups and regular check-ins are all helpful with respect to managing expectations and reducing emotional stress.
Preparing For The Practical Realities
It is easy to concern oneself with the civil, social and even philosophical implications of drafting a surrogate agreement, but also easy to overlook the cost involved in surrogacy; it is a practical reality that surrogacy can be an expensive endeavour, thanks to a variety of fees and expenses as well as the remuneration of the surrogate.
The biggest expense would be that of IVF treatment, which is one of the more common ways by which a surrogate baby is conceived. Even without this, there are costs associated with lost wages and pregnancy expenses for the surrogate and their partner, as well as those incurred by socialising with the surrogate and their family.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
