Adoption and Collaborative Reproduction (Surrogacy and Donors) is both exciting and stressful. For prospective parents considering adoption or assisted reproductive technology (ART) as a means to achieving their family building goal, there are many steps to work through and details to consider both before starting the process and throughout the process.  Having an attorney assist you can reduce the stress and help you with a clearer path forward.  Each of method to family building takes time, patience and persistence and the end result is rewarding.

    Jennifer Fairfax and Catelyn Slattery are experienced, client centered attorneys who can guide you through your journey, help minimize risks and reduce problems that could arise.  They have worked together for over five years and provide cohesive adoption and ART services to all their clients both locally and across the country.    

    Jennifer is a well known and accomplished adoption and ART attorney licensed in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.  She has experience in helping clients explore adoption and assisted reproductive technology options regardless of your family dynamic. If you are adoptive or intended parents, she can guide prospective adoptive parents through each step of the journey to help complete their family. She offers legal counsel on all adoption options, and assists in navigating the avenues available in locating birth parents, surrogates, intended parents and, if preferred, working with a reputable licensed child placinga adoption agency. Similarly, if you are interested in being a Gestational Carrier, Jennifer can help you get started down that path.  

    Catelyn has been practicing in the field of adoption for five years. She has represented numerous birth mothers, adoptive parents and local adoption agencies.  She has specific experience in handling ICPC cases and negotiation Post Adoption Contact Agreements (PACA) that meet the needs of the child and both the adoptive and birth parents.  Cateyln has a great rapport with many hospital social workers and assist clients with hosptial plans and birth plans. She is a hands on attorney who advocates for her clients in a thoughtful and compassionate manner.  Catelyn also has extensive experience in handling second parent adoptions in all courts in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia.  Check out what other clients have said about the Jennifer Fairfax team in the testimonials area of this website.

    Together Jennifer and Catelyn make a powerful team and work collaboratively with clients, programs and agencies to provide smooth and effecient legal services as clients build their families. Handling both adoption and ART in all three local jurisdictions their experience is unmatched in this area for these fields of law. If you'd like to arrange a consult please complete the contact form on this site and one of us will get back to you as soon as possible.

    Adoption Process

    Jennifer and Catelyn work with prospecitve adoptive parents from helping them decide which path to parenthood is best for them to finalizing an adoption. The firm has assisted clients in private adoptions and agency adoptions both intrastate and interstate.

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    ART

    Jennifer assists Intended Parents in the negotiation of a legal contract with a Gestational Carrier and obtaining a Birth Order once the Gestational Carrier is pregnant. Jennifer provides consultation on advertising and interviewing Gestational Carriers and will assist you through the legal and court process.

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    LGBT

    Jennifer handles LGBT legal issues.  Jennifer has handled legal issues involving lesbian and gay families her entire career.  She has handled second parent adoptions for gay, lesbian and heterosexual clients all across Maryland, Virginia and in the District of Columbia. 

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    Expectant and Birth Parents

    Jennifer and Catelyn works with expectant parents - if you are a birth parent, our Family Formation Law Offices can advise you of the options available for locating a family and advocate for you in the adoption process.  All birth parents who are considering adoption receive a free phone or in person consultation to discuss options. 

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    Surrogacy & Gestational Carriers

    Jennifer Fairfax Family Formation Law Offices represents Gestational Carriers in the negotiation of their legal contract with Intended Parents once matched through a Coordinating or Matching Program.  Representing Gestational Carriers for over 17 years, Jennifer will review with you the legal terms of the contract and explain the court process.

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    Same-Sex Couples & Adoption

    If you are a gay or lesbian parent, contact Jennifer about the process for second parent adoption in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia as this is still recommended to all parents in same sex relationships to secure their parental rights as a birth certificate is a "presumption of parentage" but the adoption is a judicial determination.

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    “I believe in working with each of my clients—in support of their family dynamic—to make the dreams of parenthood a reality. Whether you are single or married; or gay; a step-parent, a surrogate or intended parent or a child of adoption, it is my mission to serve as your advocate. With a dedication to the ethical and sensitive nature of each situation, I will help you understand the laws within Maryland or Washington, DC for adoption or surrogacy, and pledge to be your partner throughout the journey.” - Jennifer Fairfax