A surrogacy lawyer in Richmond, Texas handles the legal requirements for gestational surrogacy arrangements, including drafting contracts, obtaining court validation, and securing parental rights. 

Texas law requires that a court validate all gestational agreements before any embryo transfer can take place, making legal representation essential to protect your rights as intended parents.

Without proper legal documentation, you risk losing parental rights to the child you planned to have through surrogacy.

At Frank Vendt Child Custody & Divorce Attorneys, we guide families throughout Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, and Fort Bend County through every step of the surrogacy legal process.

Our team is well-versed in the specific requirements of Texas reproductive law. It works closely with fertility clinics and hospitals to ensure your parental rights are established from the moment of conception through birth.

What Does a Texas Surrogacy Lawyer Do?

If you want to become a parent through gestational surrogacy in Richmond, Texas, you need a surrogacy lawyer to help you understand the laws and protect your parental rights.

A Texas surrogacy lawyer takes care of all the legal details of your journey, making sure your rights are protected from the time of conception until the time of birth.

At Frank Vendt Child Custody & Divorce Attorneys, we guide families through every legal aspect of surrogacy.

When you search for a “surrogacy lawyer near me,” you need someone who understands Texas law and can work with your local fertility clinic and hospitals.

Our services include three main areas that cover your entire journey:

Gestational Agreement Creation:

We write a detailed contract between you and your surrogate that covers compensation, medical decisions, and what happens during pregnancy and birth

Court Validation Process:

We file your agreement with a Fort Bend County judge, who must approve it before any medical procedures can begin

Parentage Orders and Birth Certificates:

We handle all the paperwork after your baby is born to make sure you are listed as the legal parents on the birth certificate

The legal process must be completed in a specific order, and timing is critical. We coordinate with your fertility doctor and make sure everything is done correctly so you can focus on preparing for your new baby.

Call (832) 662-8315 to discuss your surrogacy timeline with our Richmond attorneys.

Is Surrogacy Legal in Texas?

Yes, gestational surrogacy is completely legal in Texas when you follow the proper court process.

Texas law requires that a judge validate your gestational agreement before your fertility doctor can transfer any embryos to your surrogate. This court validation makes sure you are recognized as the legal parents from the moment your baby is born.

Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy

You need to understand the difference between the two types of surrogacy because Texas law only supports one type. When you work with a “fertility lawyer near me,” this distinction affects your entire legal strategy.

Gestational Surrogacy:

Gestational surrogacy uses an embryo created from your egg (or a donor egg) and sperm, then transferred to a surrogate who carries the baby for you. The surrogate has no genetic connection to the child, and Texas law provides a clear path to establish your parental rights through court validation.

Traditional Surrogacy:

Traditional surrogacy means the surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother of the child. Texas does not allow enforceable traditional surrogacy agreements, which means you would need to complete an adoption process after the birth to become the legal parents.

Most fertility clinics in the Houston area only work with gestational surrogacy because it provides legal certainty for everyone involved.

How Do Gestational Agreements Work in Fort Bend County?

A gestational agreement is a legal contract that a Fort Bend County judge must approve before your surrogate can become pregnant.

Texas law is very clear that this court approval must happen before any embryo transfer takes place. We handle this time-sensitive process to protect your rights and ensure your agreement is enforceable.

The process follows specific steps that build on each other, and skipping any step can create serious legal problems later.

Step 1: Pre-Screening and Matching

Before we can write your legal agreement, you and your surrogate must complete the required screenings. Your fertility doctor will medically clear both you and your surrogate for the procedures.

A licensed mental health professional will evaluate all parties to make sure everyone understands the emotional aspects of surrogacy.

We also review your surrogate’s health insurance to understand what medical costs will be covered.

Step 2: Contract Drafting and Review

We draft a comprehensive gestational agreement that covers every aspect of your surrogacy arrangement.

This contract addresses your surrogate’s compensation, who makes medical decisions during pregnancy, and how you will communicate throughout the process.

We ensure that the compensation terms are fair and consistent with the standards used in surrogacy arrangements in the Houston area.

The agreement also covers various scenarios, including multiple births, medical complications, or changes in circumstances.

We want to address potential issues before they arise so everyone knows what to expect.

Step 3: Court Validation Before Transfer

Once everyone has signed the agreement, we will file a petition in the Fort Bend County court, asking a judge to validate it.

The judge must find that the deal is in the best interests of the future child and that all parties entered into it voluntarily. We prepare all court documents, file the petition, and attend the hearing on your behalf.

The timeframe for the validation process can vary depending on the court’s schedule and the specific circumstances of the case. The judge’s order is what makes your agreement legally enforceable and establishes your parental rights.

Step 4: Pre-Birth Planning and Parentage Orders

During your surrogate’s pregnancy, we prepare the legal documents needed when your baby is born. We coordinate with the hospital where your baby will be delivered to make sure they have copies of your validated agreement.

This preparation ensures that hospital staff understand who has the legal authority to make decisions for your child.

We also prepare the paperwork for your final parentage order, which we will file immediately after birth.

Step 5: Birth, Birth Certificate, and Hospital Coordination

When your baby is born, we quickly file a notice of birth with the court and request your final parentage order.

This order directs the Texas Vital Statistics Unit to issue a birth certificate with your names as the parents. We handle all communication with the hospital and vital records office so you can focus on your new baby.

Texas Surrogacy Process Timeline

Who Can Be an Intended Parent in Texas?

Texas law allows many different types of people to become parents through gestational surrogacy.

You do not need to be married or in a traditional relationship to have an enforceable gestational agreement. The courts in Fort Bend County and throughout the surrogacy community in Houston, TX, welcome all intended parents who meet the basic legal requirements.

You can pursue gestational surrogacy in Texas if you are:

• A married couple of any gender combination
• An unmarried couple living together
• A single person who wants to become a parent
• Someone who lives in another state but is working with a Texas surrogate

The most essential requirement is that you must be able to show the court that the surrogacy arrangement is in the best interests of the future child. This usually means demonstrating that you are financially and emotionally prepared to be parents.

What Happens If the Agreement Is Not Validated?

If you do not get your gestational agreement validated by a court before the embryo transfer, the surrogate becomes the legal mother of your baby under Texas law.

This creates a nightmare scenario where you have no automatic parental rights even though the baby may be genetically yours.

You would need to fight a legal battle after the birth to establish your parental rights, which is expensive, stressful, and uncertain.

Without court validation, your surrogate could legally keep the baby or make decisions about the child that you disagree with. Even if she wants to honor your original agreement, hospitals and government agencies will recognize her as the legal mother until a court says otherwise.

This situation often requires terminating the surrogate’s parental rights and completing an adoption process, which can take months or years. The emotional and financial costs of this approach are enormous compared to the straightforward validation process we handle before the pregnancy begins.

Don’t risk your parental rights—call (832) 662-8315 for proper validation before any medical procedures begin.

How Much Does a Surrogacy Lawyer Cost in Texas?

Most surrogacy lawyers in Texas charge flat fees rather than hourly rates, which gives you predictable costs and avoids surprise bills.

We believe that proper legal representation is an investment in protecting your family, and the cost is minimal compared to the problems that can arise without proper legal work.

Our fee structure is designed to align with the different phases of your surrogacy journey.

We break our legal services into separate phases so you only pay for what you need when you need it:

Initial Consultation and Planning:

We assess your situation and create a legal roadmap for your specific circumstances

Gestational Agreement Phase:

This covers drafting, negotiating, and finalizing your comprehensive surrogacy contract

Court Validation Phase:

We handle all court filings, hearings, and obtaining your validation order

Birth and Parentage Phase:

We file all post-birth documents and ensure your birth certificate is issued correctly

The total legal cost is typically a small fraction of your overall surrogacy expenses, which include surrogate compensation, medical costs, and agency fees. We provide detailed fee estimates during your initial consultation, allowing you to budget appropriately for the legal aspects of your journey.

Why Choose Frank Vendt Child Custody & Divorce Attorneys for Your Surrogacy Case?

Our firm offers extensive experience in Texas family law to support your surrogacy case. We understand how the Texas Family Code applies to reproductive law and have established working relationships with Fort Bend County courts and local hospitals.

This experience allows us to navigate the legal system efficiently and avoid common pitfalls that can delay or complicate your case.

We apply the same values of compassion, transparency, and effective advocacy to surrogacy cases that we bring to all our family law work.

We understand that building your family through surrogacy involves significant emotional and financial investment, and we work to protect that investment through careful legal planning.

Our local knowledge is particularly valuable when working with fertility clinics, hospitals, and courts in the Richmond, Sugar Land, and Houston areas.

We are familiar with the specific requirements and preferences of local judges and can tailor our approach to achieve the best results in your case.

We also understand the time-sensitive nature of surrogacy cases and work efficiently to meet your medical timeline while ensuring all legal requirements are properly satisfied.

Schedule your Richmond surrogacy consultation today at (832) 662-8315.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Represent Both Intended Parents and Surrogates in the Same Case?

No, we only represent intended parents to avoid conflicts of interest. Texas law requires that gestational carriers have their own independent attorney to review the agreement and protect their interests.

How Long Does It Take to Get Court Validation in Fort Bend County?

Most court validations are completed within 14 to 30 days after we file the petition, depending on the court’s schedule and whether any issues arise during the review process.

Can We Start Medical Procedures Before Getting Court Validation?

No, Texas law prohibits embryo transfers until after a judge validates your gestational agreement. Starting medical procedures without validation puts your parental rights at serious risk.

Can Single People or Same-Sex Couples Get Parentage Orders in Texas?

Yes, Texas law allows gestational agreements and parentage orders for all intended parents regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

What If We Live in Another State But Our Surrogate Lives in Texas?

You can still file for validation in Texas courts if your surrogate is a Texas resident, and the Texas parentage order will be recognized in your home state.

How Quickly Can We Get the Birth Certificate After Our Baby Is Born?

Once we obtain your final parentage order, we will work with the Texas Vital Statistics Unit to ensure your child’s birth certificate is updated as soon as possible.

Can We Use a Known Sperm or Egg Donor in Our Surrogacy Arrangement?

Yes, but this requires additional legal agreements to clearly define and terminate the donor’s parental rights and responsibilities.

What Happens If Our Surrogate Lives in a Different Texas County?

We can still represent you, but we may need to file your validation petition in the county where your surrogate lives, which could affect timing and procedures.

Do We Need a Surrogacy Agency to Work With Your Law Firm?

No, we can work with you whether you found your surrogate through an agency, independently, or if she is someone you already know.

Ready to protect your growing family? Contact Frank Vendt Child Custody & Divorce Attorneys at (832) 662-8315 to begin your surrogacy journey with experienced Richmond legal counsel who understands Texas reproductive law.