Recorded on: February 10, 2026
Length: 60 minutes
Summary
Fertility and surrogacy lawyer Kathleen Adams and estates and surrogacy lawyer Zachary Murphy-Rogers answer common questions about fertility law and assisted reproduction in BC, including questions about your legal rights, responsibilities and planning considerations so that you can build your family with greater clarity and confidence.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn:
Legal framework
What assisted reproduction means and what options are available. [5:10]
What laws apply and whether they’re the same across Canadian provinces. [10:10]
Who is likely to seek out assisted reproduction, and whether there are limits on who can use assisted reproduction. [13:55]
Paying for assisted reproduction
Whether you need to pay to use a donor. [18:55]
Whether you can pay a surrogate to have a baby for you, and what expenses are permitted under Canadian law. [21:40]
How much it costs to go through in vitro fertilization (IVF). [25:30]
Who qualifies for British Columbia’s IVF funding program and what the program covers. [31:40]
Surrogacy
How you and your partner become recognized as the legal parents if your surrogate gives birth in BC, and how much a parentage order costs. [33:40]
Whether the process or cost of becoming recognized as legal parents differs for international intended parents. [37:10]
What happens if there’s a dispute between intended parents and a surrogate, how disputes are typically prevented and what happens if prevention fails. [40:00]
Donation
The kind of agreement you and your partner need if you use a sperm or egg donor, and whether you use the same agreement with the donor for yourselves. [42:55]
Whether egg or sperm donors have legal rights to the child and what happens if they change their mind about the use of their donation. [45:05]
Estate planning
Whether you need to deal with human reproductive material in your will. [46:55]
Whether your spouse can use your embryos if something happens to you before you use all of them. [48:00]
What inheritance rights children born through surrogacy have in relation to donors. [49:50]
Resources
What free or low-cost legal resources are available for people who want to learn more about fertility and assisted reproduction law but aren’t ready to retain a lawyer. [51:30]
Live questions
The circumstances in which psychological testing is required and the form that testing takes. [53:30]
Whether a single woman who is experiencing issues with her eggs and getting pregnant is covered for assisted fertility treatments. [54:40]
Featuring
Kathleen Adams
Kathleen Adams (she/her) is a fertility and surrogacy lawyer and the founder of KJ Adams Law, an inclusive, boutique law firm designed to help those who are struggling to build their families. She helps intended parents of all backgrounds and nationalities grow their families through adoption and navigate the ethical use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). She has a special commitment to serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and strives to make her practice a safe and joyful space for all who seek her services.
Zachary Murphy-Rogers
Zachary Murphy-Rogers is a lawyer at Clark Wilson LLP in Vancouver. He maintains both a litigation practice and a solicitor’s practice, predominantly in the areas of wills, trusts & estates, family & surrogacy law, and elder law. Zachary recognizes that his clients want practical, cost-effective advice and solutions tailored to their unique needs, and he is committed to finding creative and appropriate solutions to resolve legal disputes.
Attendee feedback
"Well facilitated and high quality speakers."
“Such an intricate and important process. Thank you for your webinar.”
“This was my first experience with People's Law School and I will absolutely be following for future presentations. That was great!”
“Thank you for this webinar! Incredibly informative.”
“Thank you for your time and presentations. I learned something new in a fast-paced environment.”
"Visuals easy to read, presenters knowledgeable and pace perfect. Thanks."
Additional resources
On fertility and assisted reproduction law
Fertility Law BC, from a working group of some of BC’s most experienced fertility lawyers
Blog posts from Kathleen Adams on the latest in fertility law
On costs for assisted reproduction
Guidance note from the federal government for reimbursements made under the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulations
Laws referenced
Family Law Act, BC’s legislation on parentage