Adoption

Ballard, Desai & Miller provides legal services in hundreds of adoptions each year of all types, including agency-assisted (identified), agency, private, international and related adoptions. For prospective adoptive parents interested in privately-arranged adoptions, Ballard, Desai, & Miller works closely with adoption consultants and agencies who help their clients identify and interact with the clients’ birth families. The firm also provides legal services to birth parents interested in making adoption plans. Finally, the firm provides a variety of consulting services to public and private agencies and other professionals providing adoption services.

Still have questions? Visit our Adoption FAQs.

Collaborative Reproduction

The firm enjoys a national reputation in the area of collaborative reproduction, and has provided counsel on a wide range of legal issues, including both anonymous and identified egg donor and donor insemination arrangements, gestational surrogacy and traditional forms of surrogacy, and embryo donation. Ballard, Desai & Miller advises clients considering these options about their legal rights and responsibilities, prepares and negotiates contracts for them, works with other responsible professionals providing services, and handles any administrative and court proceedings necessary to legally recognize these arrangements.

Reproductive Technology Consulting

As the practice of reproductive technology becomes more complex and competitive, medical and other professionals increasingly require up to the minute advice on issues affecting their practice, including regulatory developments, practice standards, risk management concerns, and program development. Ballard, Desai & Miller is frequently consulted by physicians, labs and professional groups about legal, ethical, and practical issues related to collaborative reproduction, embryo disposition, informed consent, insurance coverage and other practice areas. The firm also serves as consulting counsel in selected cases, to assist with aspects of trial and/or appellate work related to reproductive technology issues.

ESTATE PLANNING

As an added service to our adoption and collaborative reproduction clients, Ballard, Desai & Miller provides estate planning legal services. Surrogacy arrangements require that the surrogate and the intended parents have wills and /or other estate planning documents in place in the event of the death or incapacity of any of the participants before the birth of the child. Once our clients become parents, they should write or update their wills to plan for the well-being of their children. These services are provided by Edward J. O’Connell in his capacity of “Of Counsel” to the firm.

What is the Role of an attorney in your arrangements?

• Intended Parents
• Surrogate or Donor
• Adoptive Parents