The Legal Maze of IVF: Who Owns Your Embryos After Divorce?
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We explore the complex legal landscape of IVF, surrogacy, and embryo ownership with adoption attorney Anna Howard, who brings years of experience helping families navigate reproductive law.
• Embryo ownership after divorce is a legally complex area with limited case precedent
• California has no published case law specifically addressing frozen embryo disputes
• Clinics require disposition forms but these are often signed hastily without proper consideration
• Courts generally favor the party not wanting parenthood but exceptions exist
• Known donors (friends/family) require careful legal contracts to prevent future claims
• Surrogacy arrangements need comprehensive legal protection addressing potential conflicts
• Psychological evaluations help ensure surrogates understand the emotional implications
• Embryo disposition options include donation, scientific research, or compassionate transfer
• Major employers increasingly offer fertility benefits as part of compensation packages
• Approximately 1 in 12 people experience fertility challenges when attempting parenthood
Think of your IVF agreement like a prenup for your embryos. Courts do not want to decide this for you later. Preparation speaks volumes - stability and preparedness go hand in hand.
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🎙️ Hosts: Ilona Antonyan & Mila Arutunian
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Chapters
1. Who Gets the Embryos After Divorce? (00:00:00)
2. Introduction to Reproductive Law (00:19:00)
3. Freezing Eggs: Process and Considerations (00:19:13)
4. Building Families Through Alternative Paths (00:22:27)
5. Destigmatizing Fertility Challenges (00:24:52)
33 episodes