New year, new family plans

The start of a new year is often a time for new beginnings, as it inspires reflection, goal-setting, and positive change. Perhaps the epitome of new beginnings is the decision to start a family, or have another child. Nowadays there are several different routes to becoming a parent and that brings with it a multitude of things to think about. Here we offer a step-by-step guide as to what you need to consider in your planning.

1. Explore all options

Research and understand the various paths available to you, which primarily fall into two categories:

• Assisted Reproduction involving Donors / Surrogacy.
• Adoption or Fostering.

2. Seek professional guidance

Talk to professionals and individuals who are affiliated to reliable organisations.

• Consult a GP or Fertility Specialist.
• The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UK’s independent regulator for fertility clinics and can provide information.
• Contact Agencies and Charitieswhich specialise in alternative family building.
• Attend Information Events. 

3. Seek specialist legal advice

• Consult with a solicitor who specialises in Modern Families Law and Children Law to understand the legal side of the different paths to becoming a parent.
• Consult with a solicitor who specialises in Wills and Estate Planning to understand implications relating to things such as inheritance and guardianship.

4. Work out the financial impact

• Research all potential expenses, including for example agency fees, legal fees, and medical costs, and create a budget. 

5. Think about the emotional impact

It can be emotionally demanding journey giving rise to complex feelings.

• Consider specialist counselling throughout the process.
• Connect with other others going on the same journey to share experiences and find community support.  

By taking these steps you can create a clear roadmap for your unique journey to parenthood and have the confidence to begin the formal process.

About Lucina Troy: A specialist Modern Families and Children Lawyer. In the Modern Families space Lucina advises individuals who want to create a family via an alternative path to parenthood, helping them secure, protect, and define the intended legal parent-child relationships. In the Children Law space Lucina undertakes a wide variety of work, including child arrangements and matters of parental responsibility, paternity testing, child maintenance and financial provision, child relocation, child abduction, injunctions and protective orders, disclosure orders, recognition and enforcement of foreign orders, breaches of orders and enforcement, and appeals. Lucina also speaks and provides workshops and seminars to Schools and Businesses, raising awareness and understanding about Modern Families and Children Law matters in schools and in the workplace.

About Amy Lane: A Private Client Partner and specialises in the legal complexities surrounding families created through assisted conception and surrogacy. She has more than a decade of experience in complex estate and succession planning, Amy advises intended parents, donors and wider family members on how to protect their legal, financial and parental interests through properly regulated arrangements. Amy is committed to raising awareness of the role that formal estate planning plays for modern families formed through fertility treatment or surrogacy, ensuring clarity around legal parenthood, guardianship, and inheritance rights.