- A.G.R. v. D.R.H & S.H.
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A.G.R. v. D.R.H & S.H. (also known as Robinson v. Hollingsworth) is a ruling by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County Vicinage, and is the first precedent regarding gestational surrogacy in New Jersey.[1] The ruling was handed down by Judge Francis Schultz on December 23, 2009.[2][3] However, contrary case law may develop until either the New Jersey Supreme Court or the legislature acts on the matter.
Contents
Background
The case arose out of a 2005 agreement between Angelia Robinson and her brother, Donald Robinson Hollingsworth. Robinson agreed to carry a fetus for Hollingsworth and his husband, Sean Hollingsworth.[4] Sean supplied the sperm and an anonymous donor supplied the egg.[5] Robinson gave birth to twin girls in 2006.[6] Robinson then sought custody and challenged the agreement in court, arguing that gestational surrogacy contracts are invalid in New Jersey.[7]
Ruling and reaction
Judge Schultz ruled in favor of Robinson, expanding the Baby M precedent beyond a genetically related surrogate mother and declaring gestational surrogacy contracts to be a violation of public policy. As noted by legal scholar Jonathan Turley, this ruling creates a split between those states that honor gestational surrogacy and those that do not.[8]
Attorney Harold Cassidy, who had represented both Robinson here and Mary Beth Whitehead in the Baby M case, praised the ruling and described gestational surrogacy contracts as "the exploitation of women." [1]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Saul, Stephanie (December 30, 2009). "New Jersey judge calls surrogate legal mother of twins". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/us/31surrogate.html?_r=2. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
- ^ Geoff Mulvihill Parental rights for surrogates, Jan 1. 2010
- ^ NJ judge rules surrogate legal mother of twins despite not being genetically related, New Jersey Star-Ledger, December 31, 2009
- ^ Geoff Mulvihill Parental rights for surrogates, Jan 1. 2010
- ^ Geoff Mulvihill Parental rights for surrogates, Jan 1. 2010
- ^ Geoff Mulvihill Parental rights for surrogates, Jan 1. 2010
- ^ Geoff Mulvihill Parental rights for surrogates, Jan 1. 2010
- ^ Gestational Surrogates Win Custody Rulings in Michigan and New Jersey
External links
Categories:- 2009 in New Jersey
- 2009 in United States case law
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