Before You Start Surrogacy in the USA: Laws, Costs & Risks Explained | Melissa Brisman

Considering surrogacy in the USA? Before you start, there are important legal, financial, and practical realities every intended parent should understand. In this episode, Maria Feekes sits down with renowned reproductive attorney Melissa Brisman to discuss how surrogacy works in the United States, including state-by-state legal differences, surrogacy contracts, escrow protection, insurance considerations, and the biggest risks intended parents should prepare for. Whether you're just beginning your research or actively comparing surrogacy programs, this conversation provides a realistic look at what it takes to build a family through surrogacy in the USA. In this episode: ✅ How surrogacy in the United States has changed over the last decade ✅ Surrogacy laws by state and why location matters ✅ What intended parents should understand about surrogacy contracts ✅ Escrow management and financial protections in US surrogacy ✅ Insurance considerations and potential risks ✅ How to choose the right surrogacy professionals and team ✅ Common mistakes intended parents can avoid Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:10 How the US surrogacy industry has evolved 05:10 Surrogacy laws in the USA explained 10:24 Surrogacy contracts: legal and emotional considerations 21:11 Escrow, insurance, and financial protection 27:55 Building the right surrogacy team About Melissa Brisman Melissa Brisman is one of the most recognized reproductive law attorneys in the United States. She has spent decades helping intended parents navigate surrogacy, assisted reproduction, and fertility law, and has played a role in shaping modern surrogacy legislation. Connect with Melissa Brisman Instagram:   / melissabrismanesq   LinkedIn:   / melissabrisman   YouTube:    / @melissabrismanesq   #SurrogacyUSA #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #SurrogacyLaws #USSurrogacy #SurrogacyCost #GestationalCarrier #IVFJourney #FamilyBuilding #FertilityPodcast #SurrogacyAttorney #SurrogacyProcess #InternationalSurrogacy #MelissaBrisman #YourFertilityStory ================================ At SMARTPath Fertility, we believe that fertility care is more than just medical treatment—it’s about heart, support, and walking this journey together. Whether you’re an intended parent, a surrogate, or a donor, you deserve personalized care and guidance every step of the way. ✨ Feeling overwhelmed? Just breathe. There is hope, and you are not alone. 📲 Watch, share, and subscribe for more insights, support, and real stories from the fertility world. 🔹 Learn more: www.smartpathfertilityintl.com