I'm just starting out in this.. do I need to get my own lawyer now or should I wait? I can't decide if I want to go through an agency or independent. If I found a couple independently that I connected with I wouldn't mind at all meeting outside of an agency. I just don't know if they are able to help me with some of the process like their opinion on lawyers, contracts, etc.

Your opinions are greatly appreciated!

I went through an agency and they helped with everything. I just used the same lawyer as my intended parents. Good luck!!

I think usually surrogate moms go with whoever the intended parents use? Although I think I've heard of some using their own lawyers at agencies. I think it depends on the situation.

ah, thanks!

I met my intended parents with a agency and we used the same one.

We used the same lawyer and one contract on both of my surrogacies.. (not through an agency)

thanks for your help. I'll just use theirs then

My opinion is very different. I URGE you get your own attorney, and have that person in place BEFORE you start talking contracts to your IP's.  If you let the IP's attorney do it, it will be written to protect the IP's more than yourself. Please trust me on this one.  I'm very experienced.  PM me if you need details.

I urge you to use your own attorney.  The clicnic referred us to our attorney and our attorney referred our IF's to their attorrney.