Step-Parent Adoption in Western Australia

An expert family lawyer explains the practicalities of WA law as it applies to surrogacy and summarises the step-parent adoption process for those parents interested in formal recognition of their parental status under WA law.

Marty Kavanagh, Kavanagh Lawyers marty@kavlaw.com.au

Legal Issues for South Australians

An expert local family lawyer uses case studies to illustrate the usual timelines and steps involved in drawing up surrogacy agreements, looks at whether donor agreements are necessary and illustrates the pathways to ensure you and your surrogate are protected legally post birth.

Kate Bishop, Culshaw Miller lawyers kate.bishop@culshawmiller.com.au 

Legal Issues for Victorians Accessing Donors & Surrogacy

An expert fertility lawyer uses case studies to illustrate the usual timelines and steps involved in drawing up surrogacy agreements, looks at whether donor agreements are necessary and illustrates the pathways to ensure you and your surrogate are protected legally post birth for domestic and overseas surrogacy.

Ben Sayer, Sayer Jones, ben.sayer@sayerjones.com.au

Co-parenting – It Takes a Village to Raise a Family

Rodney’s son Ethan was born via US surrogacy, and Rodney has been a leader in the Gay Dads community here in Australia. But Rodney and his partner have also donated sperm to a number of lesbian couples and entered successful co-parent arrangements with some. Here he talks about the vital aspects to tackle if such arrangements are to work

Rodney Chiang-Cruise, Dad via surrogacy & co-parenting

Surrogacy & Egg Donation – Practicalities & Risks 

As demand for surrogacy grows, some agencies and countries are struggling to cope with the increase in requests for surrogates and donors. Too often intended parents are paying large up-front fees to providers who fail to match them, or paying tens of thousands for shipped eggs which fail to result in a pregnancy. This session looks at the differences between altruistic and compensated programs; egg donor considerations; likely program costs and how can they be controlled; Success rates and choosing reliable providers.

Sam Everingham, Growing Families sam@growingfamilies.org

Surrogacy & Egg Donors – Texas Style

Countries like the Australia and Canada struggle to recruit and support surrogates, whereas some US states do this well based on better laws, compensation, screening and experience. Texas has not come under the same pressure as California to increase surrogate compensation so surrogacy arrangements can be significantly more affordable. For the first time we put a spotlight on Texas as a rising star in North American surrogacy.

Kristin Hanson, Simple Surrogacy, Texas kristen@simplesurrogacy.com

IVF & Embryology Techniques to maximise your Success

This session by esteemed Texas IVF professional Rob Kaufman covers what medical tests you should prepare prior to surrogacy, embryo shipping considerations, semen analysis, the pros and cons of PGD testing of embryos and decisions around single vs double embryo transfer.

Dr Rob Kaufmann, Fort Worth Fertility, Texas leesa@fwivf.com

Surrogacy & Egg Donation in Georgia 

Where the hell is Georgia? Just west of Turkey. One of only six countries with laws allowing foreigners to be recognised as legal parents, Georgia has had such laws for over two decades. Openness is key – like Australia, egg donors cannot be anonymous. Yet a lack of awareness meant few Australians engaged there – until recently. With far easier paperwork requirements than Ukraine, no visa requirements, advanced IVF technologies and low costs, it’s not hard to understand the attraction.

Tamari Kachlishvili, ReproArt, Georgia  tamarikachlishvili@yahoo.com

Legal Issues for NSW Residents

An experienced surrogacy lawyer uses case studies to illustrate the usual timelines and steps involved in drawing up surrogacy agreements, looks at whether donor agreements are necessary and illustrates the pathways to ensure you are protected legally post birth for domestic and overseas surrogacy.

Sacha Mastras, Merridy Elphick Lawyers, NSW Sacha@melaw.com.au

Accessing Superannuation for Surrogacy or Egg Donation

Australian superannuation funds will currently allow funds to be accessed for IVF & surrogacy purposes – Although this may be restricted to altruistic arrangements or donor eggs. However its important to understand what can and cant be claimed and how to submit the paperwork to ensure it meets the guidelines. This practical presentation makes seemingly complex paperwork far easier.

Rebecca Newson