Before You Sign a Surrogacy Contract… Watch This

Surrogacy contracts can feel intimidating, technical and overwhelming... but they’re one of the most important parts of the entire surrogacy journey.In this episode of "Let’s Talk Surrogacy", we’re joined by Joanna Beck Wilkinson, an attorney and founding member of Foster + Bloom, to break down what a surrogacy contract actually does, why it’s more than “just paperwork" and how it protects both the surrogate and the intended parents.Joanna walks through the biggest areas of a surrogacy contract where misunderstandings can happen, including pregnancy management, termination language and confidentiality in the age of social media.Whether you’re a first-time surrogate staring at a long contract, or an intended parent trying to understand what’s standard, what’s negotiable and what’s a red flag, this conversation will help you feel more prepared, more confident and more protected before anything is signed.Subscribe for more real conversations on surrogacy ►► bit.ly/4n6Fv3sDrop your thoughts or questions in the comments!Learn more or start your surrogacy journey:Website: https://www.americansurrogacy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/american_surrogacyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/american.surrogacyIf you are interested in becoming a surrogate, please visit:https://www.americansurrogacy.com/surrogate/surrogate_free_info?ref=asytsurIf you are ready to get started as an intended parent please visit: https://www.americansurrogacy.com/parents/parents_free_info?ref=asytip00:00 - Intro00:15 - What Brought Joanna to Family-Building Law01:08 - What is a Surrogacy Contract? [Process Explained]02:21 - Important, Underestimated Areas of a Surrogacy Contract08:07 - How Contracts Protect Surrogates09:36 - Contract Terms that Surprise Intended Parents10:11 - Why Intended Parents' Attorneys Write the First Contract Draft11:12 - Do Intended Parents Pay for the Surrogate's Attorney?12:41 - The Contract Review & Negotiation Process15:09 - What Does "Legal Clearance" Mean?15:51 - Legal Clarity on Parental Rights17:12 - Why the First Draft of a Contract Feels One-Sided18:16 - Advocating for Yourself in the Contract Phase19:30 - Factors of the Contract Phase's Timeline20:41 - Costs Intended Parents are Responsible For During the Legal Phase23:02 - Working with Surrogacy Attorneys vs. General Practice Attorneys24:17 - Are Surrogacy Contracts Legally Enforceable?26:18 - What are Surrogacy Contract Amendments?27:00 - State Statutes Basics for Surrogacy Contracts27:51 - Contract Enforceability by Jurisdiction30:22 - What are Contract Provisions?30:55 - American Surrogacy's Independent Program31:30 - Risks of Independent vs. Agency-Supported Surrogacy Contracts33:46 - Improved Outcomes with a Coordinated Legal & Agency Team34:42 - The Emotions of Surrogacy Contracts37:28 - The Importance of Independent Contract Reviews38:36 - Joanna's Advice Before Signing the Contract39:56 - Misconceptions of Surrogacy Contracts40:33 - Where to Go for Trustworthy, Legal Guidance on Surrogacy41:52 - Outro#LetsTalkSurrogacy #Foster+Bloom #surrogacycontracts #podcast #surrogacylaw #AmericanSurrogacy