Searching for the Best Surrogacy Agencies in South Carolina

South Carolina, with its unique surrogacy processes and growing network of professionals, is fast becoming a hub for couples and individuals looking to bring a child into their lives through surrogacy programs.

However, the quest for finding the best surrogacy agencies is often complicated by the nuances of the legal process, the personal stakes involved, and the need for a guiding hand.

Thompson Dove Law Group stands out, not just for its commitment to helping families but for its deep integration of legal knowledge and personal care. Attorney Jim Thompson has been involved in shaping South Carolina surrogacy laws for more than 20 years—a fact that speaks volumes about his firm’s role in this life-changing journey.

So, let’s get into why to choose a surrogacy professional and how to find the best.

Why Choose a Surrogacy Professional?

The choice to work with a surrogacy agency, as opposed to navigating the process independently, is not one made lightly and can be somewhat misleading. There are a variety of surrogacy professionals who all play different roles in this journey. Surrogacy—whether pursued by same-sex couples, single parents, or those facing medical challenges—demands a degree of coordination and legal navigation that can feel overwhelming without professional help.

Surrogacy is not as simple as matching an intended parent with a surrogate. It requires managing complex relationships, handling medical and legal intricacies, and ensuring the emotional well-being of all involved. There are contracts to sign, fertility clinics to liaise with, embryo transfers to coordinate, and insurance issues to resolve. It is no wonder, then, that many people turn to surrogacy programs to help them through this maze of decisions.

What most people don’t realize is that there are no federal licensing standards for surrogacy “agencies” in the United States. The absence of such regulation places the onus on intended parents to carefully vet their chosen professionals. For those considering gestational surrogacy in South Carolina, this reality makes choosing a matching program with legal credibility all the more important. Unlike adoption agencies, which are heavily regulated by the states, there is no similar regulation, licensing, or educational requirements for an individual to form a surrogacy agency.

Palmetto Surrogacy at Thompson Dove Law Group is unique in this respect. Unlike many national surrogacy agencies or programs, Palmetto Surrogacy offers both legal representation to intended parents and full-service program coordination, ensuring that every element of the surrogacy process—from drafting surrogacy contracts to petitioning the court for an order establishing parental rights—is handled under one roof. It is a structure that ensures clarity, minimizes miscommunication, and keeps the process as streamlined as possible.

The Role of a Surrogacy Professional: Step-by-Step Guidance

Surrogacy is about relationships—both personal and professional. Intended parents, gestational carriers, fertility specialists, and lawyers all play integral roles in the process. For those entering into surrogacy for the first time, these relationships can feel foreign, even daunting.

Surrogacy agencies, or surrogacy programs, as they are sometimes called, offer a wide variety of services to both surrogates and intended parents. These include everything from pre-screening surrogate candidates and managing medical treatments to handling the intricate details of surrogacy agreements and coordinating with fertility clinics.

Palmetto Surrogacy at Thompson Dove Law Group begins this process with an understanding that surrogacy is not merely a legal arrangement but a life-changing journey. The firm’s ability to balance the personal with the professional has made it a leader in the field of reproductive and adoption law in South Carolina. Their expertise is not just in the drafting of contracts or filing of pre-birth orders; it is in the ability to manage the human complexities that arise when lives are intertwined in such a profound way.

Understanding South Carolina’s Unique Legal Landscape

South Carolina occupies a unique place in the United States when it comes to surrogacy. While states like California have well-established frameworks for surrogacy, South Carolina surrogacy laws are more recent and still evolving. Understanding the intricacies of this legal environment is crucial for anyone considering surrogacy in the state.

Thompson Dove Law Group has been successful in obtaining parentage orders relating to gestational surrogacy for more than 20 years. These cases involve gestational surrogacy where the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child. However, the laws regarding traditional surrogacy—where the surrogate is also the biological mother—are more complicated.  Attorney Jim Thompson and his team have been at the forefront of drafting and interpreting the case law that guides surrogacy arrangements in South Carolina. For intended parents, this means access to legal representation and a team of professionals who have been involved in shaping the legal processes under which they will operate.

One of the most important aspects of surrogacy in South Carolina is the issuance of the temporary pre-birth consent order—legal documents that grant custody to the intended parents upon their child’s birth and allows them to make all medical decisions for their child. Once born, the parties’ attorneys will petition the court for a final order that officially terminates any parental rights the surrogate may be presumed to have. This is used in order to place the intended parents’ names on the birth certificate shortly after the birth. This process is crucial for securing the legal rights of intended parents, especially for same-sex couples or single parents. Navigating the process of obtaining these orders is just one of the many ways in which a surrogacy attorney can provide essential support.

The Palmetto Surrogacy Approach: Legal Expertise Meets Personalized Care

What sets Palmetto Surrogacy apart from other agencies is not just the depth of their legal experience but the holistic way they approach the surrogacy process. While many surrogacy professionals outsource legal services, we integrate legal guidance with every other aspect of the surrogacy journey.

Our clients can expect a degree of coordination between legal, medical, and psychological services that is hard to find elsewhere. The firm collaborates directly with fertility centers, ensuring that the legal and medical aspects of surrogacy work seamlessly together. Palmetto Surrogacy is also the only surrogacy program in South Carolina with a licensed social worker as part of the team.

The Financial Reality: Costs and Compensation

One of the most common questions from intended parents and surrogates alike is about cost. The financial aspect of surrogacy is significant, and understanding the breakdown of those costs is essential for all parties. Surrogacy in South Carolina can range from $90,000 to $150,000, depending on factors like medical expenses, surrogate compensation, and legal fees.

Unlike other programs, Palmetto Surrogacy operates on a flat fee schedule, meaning that intended parents know, up front, what they will pay for services like surrogate screening, matching, and legal representation. This transparency stands in contrast to many national agencies that often charge an agency fee, while legal fees for the contract and parentage processes are charged separately. This increases the costs significantly. For intended parents who find their own gestational surrogate and do not need the full Palmetto Surrogacy program, Thompson Dove Law Group offers à la carte services, depending on the clients’ needs. 

For surrogates, compensation is an important consideration. Base compensation for surrogates in South Carolina typically ranges from $40,000 to $55,000, depending on experience and the specific arrangement. First-time surrogates may start at the lower end, while experienced surrogates typically earn more. The surrogacy contract outlines when surrogates can receive additional compensation for medical expenses, prenatal care, and even unforeseen medical conditions during the pregnancy.

Independent Surrogacy: A Risky Proposition?

One of the options available to intended parents is independent surrogacy—pursuing surrogacy without the help of a full-service program. This approach can save on agency or program fees, but it also comes with risks. Without the guidance of a surrogacy program, intended parents are responsible for finding and screening their own surrogate, coordinating with medical professionals, managing escrow, and ensuring that all legal requirements are met.

For those who choose to go the independent route, Thompson Dove Law Group offers legal advice and support for drafting surrogacy contracts and ensuring that the legal process proceeds smoothly. In contrast, those looking for a more hands-off experience, Palmetto Surrogacy’s full-service surrogacy program remains the best way to ensure a successful outcome.

Success Rates and Personal Experience: What Makes a Good Surrogate Match?

In the world of surrogacy, success rates are often tied to the quality of the match between surrogate and intended parents. Programs like Palmetto Surrogacy put a significant amount of effort into ensuring that this match is based not just on medical compatibility but on personal preferences, values, and expectations.

Each prospective surrogate is carefully screened, not only for medical conditions but also for emotional readiness. Palmetto Surrogacy’s case managers work closely with both surrogates and intended parents to facilitate open communication throughout the pregnancy, ensuring that all parties feel supported at every step. 

Summary: Why Surrogacy in South Carolina Is a Path Worth Taking

For those considering surrogacy in South Carolina, the journey is one of the most significant life decisions they will ever make. It is a process that requires trust, commitment, and a network of professionals who understand both the personal and legal stakes involved. Palmetto Surrogacy stands at the intersection of these needs, offering a surrogacy program that is as comprehensive as it is compassionate.

Whether you are an intended parent looking for a safe, reliable way to bring a child into your family, or a surrogate hoping to give the gift of life, the path forward begins with choosing the right team. And in South Carolina, that choice is clear.

Download Our Free Guide

Are you curious about surrogacy? We’ve created a guide that answers the most frequently asked questions, like “How much do surrogates make?” “What is the age limit for surrogacy?” and “How can I become a surrogate.”

Learn everything you need to know about becoming a surrogate and how to supplement your current income by as much as $6,000 per month.

Do You Live In South Carolina?

If you live in the state of South Carolina and would like to be a surrogate (gestational carrier) for a couple struggling with fertility, click here to take a 3-minute quiz to see if you qualify to be a surrogate with Palmetto Surrogacy. Surrogates are in high demand. We would love to get you started on this fulfilling journey.