FAMILY FORMATION

Whether you’re pursuing parenthood through IVF, surrogacy, or adoption,

we’re here to support you every step of the way.

At Family Advocates, we help individuals and couples in San Diego navigate the legal side of family formation with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Whether you’re exploring IVF, surrogacy, or other paths to parenthood, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Legal Support for Growing Families

Today, many families are built through assisted reproduction, including IVF, surrogacy, and donor arrangements. While these journeys are exciting, they also require thoughtful legal planning to ensure that your rights—and your child’s future—are fully protected.

This is especially important for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, as well as unmarried or non-biological parents, where establishing clear legal parentage is essential.

A strong legal foundation ensures:

Your parental rights are fully recognized
Your family structure is legally protected
Future complications or disputes are avoided
Medical and legal decisions are in the right hands

Our Family Formation Services

Donor & Surrogacy Agreements

Clear, comprehensive contracts for egg, sperm, and embryo donation, as well as gestational surrogacy—

designed to protect all parties involved.

Third-Party Family Formation

Legal guidance for intended parents, donors, gestational carriers, and agency-supported journeys.

Counseling & Legal Representation

Personalized legal strategies to help you confidently navigate IVF, surrogacy, and other assisted reproduction processes.

Parentage & Legal Protection

Establishing and securing parental rights for biological and non-biological parents.

Legal Clearance

Ensuring all legal requirements are met for clinics, agencies, and applicable California laws.

Inclusive, Affirming Legal Care

At Family Advocates, we are proud to support all families—including LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and chosen families.

With over 20 years of experience advancing reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights, Founder Jaime Gher provides thoughtful, affirming legal guidance tailored to your unique journey.

We understand that no two families are the same—and your legal plan shouldn’t be either.

Who We Help

We work with a wide range of individuals and families, including:

Intended parents
Same-sex couples
Single parents
Donors and surrogates
Blended and non-traditional families

You deserve a clear, supportive legal path as you build your family.