We offer specialised legal services in adoption and surrogacy, supporting you with expert advice and compassion.
Adoption
Adoption is a legal process that permanently transfers all the legal rights and responsibilities of being a parent from a child's biological parent/s to the adoptive parents. In Australia, adoption procedures vary by state and territory, but all share the common goal of ensuring the child's best interests are at the forefront. Once a child is adopted, the law views the child as if they were born to the adoptive parents.
Adoption of a child can occur by a step-parent, foster carers or over international borders. Whether it is the fulfillment of a life-long dream or a plan B pathway to becoming a parent for you, we can help you work out whether adoption is the right step for your family.
Our services in adoption include:
- Legal advice: offering comprehensive advice on the adoption process in ACT and NSW, the legal requirements and implications to birth parents or adoptive parents.
- Application assistance: guiding clients through the complex application process for both local and international adoptions through to obtaining new identity documents confirming your child’s legal status after being adopted.
- Representation: representing clients in court proceedings related to the adoption process to ensure a smooth and successful legal transition of parental rights.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy involves an agreement where a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple (the intended parents). Surrogacy arrangements require careful legal consideration to ensure the rights and responsibilities of all parties are clearly defined and protected.
Our expertise in surrogacy encompasses:
- Surrogacy agreements: drafting comprehensive surrogacy agreements that address all legal requirements and protect the interests of both the surrogate and the intended parents.
- Legal advice: Advising the intended parents or the surrogate and their partner about the legal requirements and implications of their arrangement
- Representation: preparing or advising in relation to Donor Agreements, and representation in parentage order application to transfer legal parentage from the surrogate to the intended parents.
- Conflict resolution: assisting in the resolution of any disputes that may arise before, during or after the surrogacy process, ensuring a clear path to parenthood for our clients.
Parentage and surrogacy laws are complex and vary depend on your location and the type of arrangement in consideration. We advise in relation to known and unknown donor arrangements, IVF and Assisted Reproduction Technology, as well as provide guidance to navigate the process of having a new Birth Certificate issued. We can help you make informed decisions about pursuing international surrogacy, and to weigh up the pros and cons to having a formal donor agreement.
Why chose us?
Expert guidance: our team provides not only legal services but also advice on contracts, donor agreements, and the broader implications of adoption and surrogacy on family dynamics and legal rights.
Comprehensive support: from initial consultation to the finalisation of your adoption or surrogacy journey, we provide a full range of legal services tailored to your unique situation.
Client-centred approach: we prioritise your family's needs and aspirations, offering personalised support and clear communication throughout your journey.
Embarking on your adoption or surrogacy journey
Whether you are considering adoption, IVF or ART or considering surrogacy, Parker Coles Curtis is here to guide and support you every step of the way. Contact us to learn how we can assist you with our specialised legal services and empathetic guidance.
