State Sues Sperm Donor For Child Support

A Kansas who man donated sperm to a lesbian couple is now faced with a child support action from the state. The man and the couple signed an agreement that the man would not be responsible for child support. The state, who has paid out benefits to the couple, is now seeking to be reimbursed and is seeking child support from the man.

      Generally, sperm donors have neither legal rights nor support obligations to a future child. In this case, the donor responded to a Craigslist ad and decided to make a voluntary donation to the couple. According to the article, the man and his wife have no biological children, but have a foster child. He is quoted as saying that he simply wanted to help a couple have a child. Had he donated sperm through a physician or agency, he would likely not have received child support and paternity papers from the state.

      This may seem to many to be a case of no good deed going unpunished. But we need to keep in mind that it is the rights of the child that the state seeks to protect. It would seem to me that, if the man is forced to pay child support, he would have cause to seek reimbursement from the couple to whom he donated. But, since they appear to be collecting state benefits, it is likely that they do not have the resources to reimburse the donor.

      One thing is clear: anyone seeking to participate in the fertility process through donation or surrogacy should consult with a family law attorney. A Florida family law attorney can guide you to the appropriate agency and help you take the proper steps to make sure that the selfless act of helping a couple conceive a child does not result in an unexpected burden.

http://news.msn.com/us/child-support-claim-rankles-sperm-donor-to-lesbian-couple-1

Florida alimony changes: new options

Florida divorce law has been given a big change with the passing of a recent bill. Florida judges now have a new option in awarding alimony. known as durational alimony. The law is designed to address situations where permanent alimony is not the best option, but is the only option available. Florida law has prevuously recognized gray area marriages- those of more than a dozen or so years- as situations where permanent alimony may not be appropriate. Now, in those situations, a Florida judge can award durational alimony. An award of durational alimony is for a period of years and can be modified or terminated.

It is too soon to know whether the law will effect cases already pending or divorce already filed or how often durational alimony will be used. When it comes to alimony, entitlement and number of years for alimony are always decided on a case by case basis. Those who have specific questions about their Florida alimony case should contact a Florida family law lawyer for advice.