Parentage Cases

Presided over many cases with “parentage” issues, including cases involving “biological” parents, “presumed” parents, and surrogacy cases.

Most significant case involved two urologists who worked together and had no romantic relationship. Mom was single. Dad was in a same-sex relationship. Mom asked Dad if he would donate sperm for her to become pregnant. He agreed and they prepared their own “Sperm Donation Agreement”. Mom became pregnant. Mom immediately involved Dad in pregnancy. Their employer gave them a baby shower. Dad was present at child’s birth. Dad and Mom began sharing custody of child from the child’s birth. Mom and Dad’s partner got into an argument and Mom stopped allowing Dad to see child. Mom attempted to rely on the “Sperm Donation Agreement” to deny Dad time with now two-year-old child. Dad filed Parentage action. Court holds that “Sperm Donation Agreement” was not legally enforceable and Mom was estopped from enforcing the “agreement”. Court found Dad to be the parent and awarded the parties joint legal and physical custody of the child. The parties returned to Court many times over the years.