Episode 40: The Legal Side of Building Your Family with Janene Oleaga

In this episode Jennifer talks with Janene Oleaga, a family formation lawyer and reproductive rights advocate, about the legal side of building a family through assisted reproduction. Janene demystifies the role of a reproductive attorney and offers clear, grounding guidance for anyone navigating surrogacy, egg donation or donor conception. Key Topics Discussed:Janene explains what a reproductive attorney does and why reaching out before you begin your family-building journey - before selecting a surrogate, donor, or signing with an agency - can make a meaningful difference.She describes what to expect from an initial consultation, and why her goal is for clients to leave feeling informed and more settled amid the uncertainty of the fertility journey.Surrogacy law is governed at the state level and varies widely. Janene breaks down what that means for intended parents, especially when surrogacy arrangements cross state lines.She walks through what a gestational surrogacy agreement covers and why she describes it as the roadmap for the entire journey, from embryo transfer through establishing legal parentage.Janene addresses surrogacy in the news honestly, distinguishing between bad actors and the hundreds of ethical arrangements that never make headlines.For those using an egg or sperm donor, Janene explains the difference between closed, semi-open and fully open arrangements, and why true anonymity is no longer a realistic promise in the age of consumer genetic testing.She offers practical guidance on how to find a reproductive attorney, what questions to ask, and why - beyond credentials - trusting your gut matters most when building your team.Janene speaks to the importance of legislative advocacy and reminds listeners that your personal story is your most powerful tool when talking to representatives. Resources Mentioned:Oleaga Law LLCAllPaths Family BuildingAmerican Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA)American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)New England Fertility Society (NEFS)The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS)Connect with Janene Oleaga:IVFESQ.comInstagram: @IVFESQ Connect with Jennifer:Schedule a free Fertility Support SessionFollow Jennifer on Instagram for more tips and insights: @jennredmondinhcI