Colorado Fertility Laws with Laura Koupal | Episode 52

Surrogacy, Fertility Law, and Parentage in Colorado Divorce CasesIn this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Amy Goscha is joined by colleague and fertility-law specialist Laura Koupal for an in-depth discussion on surrogacy, assisted reproduction, and how evolving fertility laws intersect with Colorado family law and divorce. Laura shares her path from traditional family law practice to founding Koupal Law Firm, where she focuses exclusively on fertility law representing intended parents, surrogates, and donors around the world.The conversation breaks down genetic vs. gestational surrogacy, explains why Colorado has become a national fertility hub, and walks through the Colorado Surrogacy Agreement Act, a recently enacted statute that provides clear legal protections for surrogates, intended parents, and children. Amy and Laura also explore how surrogacy agreements, parentage determinations, cryopreserved embryos, and assisted reproduction can create unique issues in divorce cases including how embryos are treated as “special property,” what happens if parties divorce mid-surrogacy, and why family law attorneys must ask clients how their families were formed.Guest InformationLaura Koupal is a Colorado-based attorney and founder of Koupal Law Firm, where she practices exclusively in fertility law. She represents intended parents, surrogates, and donors in surrogacy agreements, assisted reproduction matters, and parentage actions, and also handles step-parent and second-parent adoptions. Laura regularly works with clients nationwide and internationally who pursue fertility treatment in Colorado.Episode OutlineWhat Is Surrogacy? Genetic vs. gestational surrogacy and key assisted reproduction terms.Why Colorado Is a Fertility Hub The role of leading fertility clinics and high IVF success rates.The Colorado Surrogacy Agreement Act How the new statute protects surrogates, intended parents, and children.The Surrogacy Process Step-by-Step Contracts, legal clearance, pregnancy, and parentage orders.Surrogacy and Divorce What happens if intended parents separate during or after surrogacy.Embryos and Divorce How cryopreserved embryos are treated and why they must be addressed in separation agreements.Adoption and Parentage Options Step-parent and second-parent adoptions for families formed through assisted reproduction.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.