We are dedicated to every one of our clients. Our core values we have instilled into this firm are:
1. We strive to make a personal connection with the families we serve
2. We are dependable and available for all our clients
3. We are passionate about our business and our clients
4. We try our hardest to make a positive difference in the lives of others
5. We act with Integrity and genuine sincerity
6. We remain compassionate and practical, while giving informed legal advice
7. We have translation services in Chinese, Spanish and Japanese available
We offer many legal services within Assisted Reproduction Law. If you are looking for a Surrogate or looking to become a Surrogate, please give us a call to discuss options. We are always more than happy to answer questions you may have at the start of your journey.
Surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby, or babies, for another person, or persons, who is/are not capable of carrying a child. There are two types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional. The more common Surrogacy cases are Gestational surrogacy. This is when a surrogate carries a child, or children, conceived by invitro-fertilization (“IVF”). The genetic mother needs functional ovaries for this treatment to be possible. An IVF clinic will create an embryo from the intended parent’s eggs and sperm, or donated sperm or eggs, which will be placed in the womb of the surrogate. The less common Surrogacy cases are Traditional Surrogacy. This is when a surrogate carries a child, or children, and she provides her own eggs. Those eggs are fertilized by the intended father’s sperm. This process will include artificial insemination either at a fertility clinic or at home.
If you wish to learn more or have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to call Mark Werts or Russell Werts at 714-674-9900.
Within the services we provide is legal representation and advise for Egg/Ova Donation. If you wish to be a recipient of Donated Eggs, or are looking to Donate your Eggs, or have any questions regarding Egg/Ova Donation please contact us.
The process of egg donation includes a fertile woman providing one or multiple eggs, also known as oocytes or ova, to an infertile woman. The eggs are donated for the purpose of assisting with reproduction. After eggs have been retrieved from the donor, the egg donor has fulfilled her role in the process. To become an egg donor you will need to produce healthy eggs. Most egg donors are women between the ages of 21 and 35. Contact your local fertility clinic for specific regulations and guidelines.
It is important to understand the law in California regarding donating/receiving Eggs. California Family Code 7613 (a) and (c) state:
(a) If a woman conceives through assisted reproduction with semen or ova or both donated by a donor not her spouse, with the consent of another intended parent, that intended parent is treated in law as if he or she were the natural parent of a child thereby conceived. The other intended parent's consent shall be in writing and signed by the other intended parent and the woman conceiving through assisted reproduction.
(c) The donor of ova for use in assisted reproduction by a person other than the donor's spouse or nonmarital partner is treated in law as if the donor were not the natural parent of a child thereby conceived unless the court finds satisfactory evidence that the donor and the person intended for the donor to be a parent.
We will discuss with you the legal meanings and implications of these statutes/laws when we consult with you.
Embryo donation is an option when a single woman or a couple require sperm and eggs. Embryos are eggs that have been fertilized by sperm. Embryos are often donated by couples that have successfully conceived and delivered a child with IVF. The donors often want to help other couples who are in a situation they have already faced.
If you are looking to receive Embryos, or looking to Donate your Embryos we advise you to speak with a fertility expert. Please contact us to discuss the legal implications or to discuss any questions you may have regarding Embryo Donation.
Sperm donation is defined as the donation of a male’s sperm, made by that male, for insemination of a female who isn’t his sexual partner. The male is known as the sperm donor and his sperm is known as the donor sperm. Donor sperm is used in the invetro fertilization process for inseminating a female, known as the intended mother or surrogate. During the process of sperm donation, the male or sperm donor will donate semen with the intention of the recipient using the sperm to achieve pregnancy. The intention is to produce a baby in a woman the sperm donor isn’t sexually active with.
It is important to understand the law in California regarding donating/receiving Sperm. California Family Code 7613 (b)(1) states:
(b)(1) The donor of semen provided to a licensed physician and surgeon or to a licensed sperm bank for use in assisted reproduction by a woman other than the donor's spouse is treated in law as if he were not the natural parent of a child thereby conceived, unless otherwise agreed to in a writing signed by the donor and the woman prior to the conception of the child.
We will discuss with you the legal meanings and implications of this statute/law when we consult with you.
Our firm also offers to run Trust Accounts for any of our client. Trust Accounts are financial bank accounts set up and managed by an attorney or third party bonded escrow company, and funded by one or more clients, creating a fiduciary relationship. Family Code 7961 allows for only an independent escrow company or an attorney to hold a trust account in Assisted Reproductive Law cases. We manage Trust Accounts for both Surrogacy cases and Donation cases, and we are not limited to only Assisted Reproductive Law Trust Accounts. We are governed by the California rules of professional conduct for attorneys. We would love to talk with you regarding any type of Trust Account.
