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Legal rights in the post-birth period (surrogacy)

Because UK law does not recognise the intended parents as the legal parents of their child from birth, there is a period of time during which the family is in legal limbo, even though the parents assume care of their child immediately from birth. Who can make decisions for the child during this time? The surrogate always has parental responsibility, giving her the authority to make decisions for the child. If she is married, her spouse shares parental responsibility with her.  If she is u...

Wills and life insurance for surrogacy

It is important to protect everyone involved in a surrogacy arrangement against the risk of one of the adults involved dying unexpectedly.  Most intended parents pay for life insurance for their surrogate, to make sure that her family is financially protected if anything happens to her as a result of the pregnancy. All those involved in a surrogacy arrangement should also make or update their wills well in advance of the birth. The intended parents should: Provide for the payment of ex...

Why are surrogate children being left legally parentless? (Infertility Network UK Magazine, Autumn 2015)

Natalie's article discusses the legal limbo period after a child is born through surrogacy and the need to apply for a parental order to rectify this

BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour: surrogacy law reform (25 April 2014)

Natalie appears on BBC Radio 4 discussing the topic of those who become parents through surrogacy being given employment rights from 2015

Maternity leave for surrogacy (LexisNexis, Nov 2013)

This question and answer interview with Natalie about the changes to maternity leave rules in surrogacy cases was published by Lexis Nexis in November 2013

Maternity leave rights for parents through surrogacy (INUK magazine, Spring 2013)

This article for the Infertility Network UK magazine (published 2012) explains the government decision to extend maternity leave rights to parents through surrogacy.

ITV Daybreak – the campaign for maternity leave for surrogacy (ITV, April 2012)

Natalie being interviewed on ITV Daybreak regarding the lack of maternity leave rights for UK parents through surrogacy

BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour: surrogacy and the need for maternity leave (BBC, June 2009)

Jenni Murray from BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour meets two mums through UK surrogacy and talks to Natalie about why intended mothers have no rights to maternity leave

Stonewall Gay Dads Guide

Gay rights charity Stonewall has produced a guide for gay dads starting a family. We were proud to help write the sections on surrogacy and co-parenting.