Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A: If it is implied that I am going to be working with an intended parent and they give me money for testing purposes, am I obligated to return the money if they write me a letter after I already have the testing done to say they dont want to work with me?

Please help support this site by visiting our sponsor!

Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A

Q & A: Financial Issues - Surrogacy

Topics may include compensation, covered expenses, overall costs, etc.

11. If it is implied that I am going to be working with an intended parent and they give me money for testing purposes, am I obligated to return the money if they write me a letter after I already have the testing done to say they dont want to work with me? - Anonymous - Top

You are under no obligation to return the money that they furnished for the testing. They are using that to determine if they will use you as their surrogate. If they choose not to have you do the surrogacy, then they have voilated the contract. And you should be under no further obligations, financial, emotion or physical.

I would suggest that you photo copy the letter sent to you and any further correspondences and send them to the intended parents and just cordially say that "you choose not to work with me after the tests have been performed and therefore you are obligated to pay for them." Try to keep it nice and decent. If it gets anymore sticky, you may want to consult with an attorney who deals in surrogacy. If you would
like to email me privately and can refer you to an attorney in your state. Please note, if you have to seek legal advice the intended parents can be held accountable for you legal bills.

-Jennifer S. AI SM - Updated: February 13, 2000
Topics may include compensation, covered expenses, overall costs, etc.

11. If it is implied that I am going to be working with an intended parent and they give me money for testing purposes, am I obligated to return the money if they write me a letter after I already have the testing done to say they dont want to work with me? - Anonymous - Top: You are under no obligation to return the money that they furnished for the testing. They are using that to determine if they will use you as their surrogate. If they choose not to have you do the surrogacy, then they have voilated the contract. And you should be under no further obligations, financial, emotion or physical.

I would suggest that you photo copy the letter sent to you and any further correspondences and send them to the intended parents and just cordially say that "you choose not to work with me after the tests have been performed and therefore you are obligated to pay for them." Try to keep it nice and decent. If it gets anymore sticky, you may want to consult with an attorney who deals in surrogacy. If you would
like to email me privately and can refer you to an attorney in your state. Please note, if you have to seek legal advice the intended parents can be held accountable for you legal bills.

-Jennifer S. AI SM - Updated: February 13, 2000

Unless stated otherwise, all responses in the SMO Q&A are courtesy of one or more of the following hosts:

Sherry - Experienced gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement

Linda - New Mommy to twins born via gestational surrogacy and egg donation

Jennifer S. - Experienced AI surrogate

Lynn - New Mommy to a daughter born via traditional surrogacy

Tracie - 5 time egg donor (triplets, 2 sets of twins and 2 singletons) and 3 time surrogate (2-AI, 1-IVF).

Lisa - Experienced egg donor and previous gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement (Lisa was our former ED host, prior to July 1999.)
Disclaimer: Responses from SMO Q&A Hosts do not necessarily represent the opinions and ideas of SMO. Neither the Q&A hosts nor SMO guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the responses given here. As such, neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts are responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. Neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in these responses.

Q&A Categories | Search Q&A's | Submit A Question | SMO Home Page