844-MBLAW-FL or 202-489-0845
844-MBLAW-FL or 202-489-0845
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We're here to meet your family where ever that stage may be. Not sure where to begin or stuck somewhere in the middle and need help trying to find your way to the other side? Your first step is to start with a family planning consultation. The basic family planning consultation usually lasts 1 ½ to 2 hours with some follow-up by email or phone after you decide on the path you want to take. Some families, however, use these consultations when they are pivoting from one path to another and just want to talk over their options, feelings, and thoughts in a confidential space.
If you already know what you need, we can provide direct legal services in the areas below. We also offer intensive family building retreats where we provide significantly more of our dedicated time to help you determine which family building path is right for you.
Gestational surrogacy is the process by which an intended parent (or intended parents) engages a gestational surrogate (also called gestational carrier) to assist them in carrying a baby, whether the baby is in fact genetically related to the intended parent(s) or not. This typically entails an initial surrogacy agreement, as well as a subsequent parentage action. Both Florida and DC allow for gestational surrogacy.
Genetic surrogacy (also known as Traditional Surrogacy) is simply when the surrogate is also the genetic mother to the child. This is allowed under Florida Statute called pre-planned adoption agreement. At the time the pre-planned adoption agreement is executed, the volunteer mother/surrogate signs a consent to adoption which she can rescind up to 48 hours after the birth of the child. These are complex situations requiring each party to consider the risks, responsibilities, and future relationships.
An embryo donation can be a known or anonymous relationship, and may involve an embryo donation agency for matching if not opting to connect directly. Some states or agencies use the term embryo adoption and impose the formal requirements of an adoption. It is important for both donors and recipients to consider the long-term realities of their decisions for their child, their siblings - both bio and non-bio, and for both families AND to be transparent in their goals and desires regarding the match and for the child in terms of privacy and communication.
An egg donation can be a known or anonymous relationship. The parties often use an egg donation agency for matching or they have connected directly on their own.
An egg donation can be a known or anonymous relationship. The parties often use an egg donation agency for matching or they have connected directly on their own.
These embryo agreements offer parties an opportunity to truly think through the legal issues regarding the creation of the embryos and the disposition should something happen to the couple or either of the parties.
For many, navigating the child welfare (foster care) system is challenging and frustrating. There are many ups and downs that families go through and decisions to make regarding what is the best match for you and a child, interpreting disclosure, and negotiating subsidy to meet your child's needs.
We assist families through foster care adoption finalizations as well as administrative proceedings related to enhanced subsidies or Adoption Review Committee issues (AARC).
Stepparent adoption is the process by which the spouse to a current parent is added as a co-equal parent to the child. This is often recommended for LGBTQ+ families to ensure that they have a clear directive and a court order confirming their co-equal parentage.
Second parent adoption is the process by which a co-equal legal parent is added for a child. It is not based upon the marital relationship between the parents, but rather their commitment to the child. This is not available in every jurisdiction, although we believe it should be.
Private adoption is the process by which the legal parents privately place their child for adoption with an adoptive family, sometimes directly and sometimes through an adoption entity (attorney or agency.)
Though there are private adoptions of older children, often through a private adoption intervention, the majority of private adoptions are infant adoptions where the expectant mother makes an adoption plan for her child while pregnant. However, the adoption laws vary across the country and the complexity of these cases vary.
Opening Adoptions
Has someone reached out to you? Are you or your child looking to open your adoption or searching for biological connections? We provide intermediary services and consultations related to search and reunions.
Donor Conceived Families
Are you considering opening communications with a donor and not sure what your options are? Although I am not a therapist, many of my clients still want a secure and confidential space to talk about their situation.
When family challenges arise, it is often helpful to have an unbiased facilitator helping you navigate the emotionally-charged waters in a confidential space.
Maybe you are a special needs family. Or perhaps your child is having issues at school. Maybe your child is struggling with gender identity or family structures. Perhaps your family is going through a separation or divorce.
Or maybe the challenge that your family is facing is nothing like the ones listed, but is creating a hardship for your family nonetheless.
Whatever challenge has arisen for your family, we are here to help.
Estate Planning
Estate planning, in essence, is the practice of making and legalizing decisions about how to manage and plan for your assets, your health, and your family. We pride ourselves on helping our clients see the big picture, educating them on their options, identifying their intentions and goals and putting those into legal documents and other communications to help their families understand their decisions.
Special Needs Planning
Special needs families need help and the systems that provide the help are vastly complex. We can help you access providers and supports through our library and network.
We also assist with enhanced subsidy requests. We work with you to create plans focused on your special needs family's specific needs. This includes day-to-day planning, advanced planning, emergency planning, and estate planning. We also have the resources to help you advocate for your child's needs when such situations arise.
We love to see you in person, but we also have the ability to see you by video!
Contact us today to schedule a virtual or in person meeting.
844-MBLAWFL or (202) 489-0845
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