While parenting partnerships come in different forms, one of the most important distinctions – from a legal perspective – is the difference between a “known donor” (typically referring to a known sperm donor, though sometimes used for a known egg donor) and a “co-parenting” relationship.  In the former, there is generally an expectation that the…

What happens when the laws of a state don’t keep up with these “Modern Family” times? In the case of Virginia, the courts have decided to step in to – in the words of many wannabe dads – “do the right thing” to make sure that the intent of co-parents to BE parents is recognized….

So you think you’re just a known sperm donor and not a legal parent?  You may need to think again. The state of Kansas has filed a claim against a known sperm donor who had actually signed an agreement with the intended parents that stated he would not be financially responsible for the resulting child. …

Another day, another new piece of legislation recognizing modern families! The governor of California recently signed a new bill into law that would define known sperm donors and sperm recipients as “sexually intimate partners” – even when the donor and the recipient have not had sex with one another. The new definition of “sexually intimate…

As we discuss in our article on the legal requirements in the United States on sperm donation by “known” sperm donors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires expensive testing to be conducted on the sperm of persons who are donating their sperm (costs can run close to $1000, and fines can be charged…

In modern family life, there are many examples where more than two adults can function as a child’s parent. While this has historically happened after divorce and remarriage with a step-parent, the rise of parenting partnerships has also created situations where a child may receive love, care and attention from multiple parenting figures. When it…

A new bill was introduced in the California State Assembly this summer to provide legal recognition for the fact that a child may, in practice, be raised by more than two parents.  In order to provide greater legal protection and security for children in these multiple-parent relationships, state Senator Mark Leno has introduced a bill…