Released on October 8, 2024, a new book called Save Money on Surrogacy: How to Save $100,000+ on Surrogacy in the United States by Yifat Shaltiel, Esq. shares surrogacy industry secrets and hacks to make your surrogacy journey more affordable. Yifat Shaltiel, a surrogacy lawyer and agency owner of Surrogate Steps, wrote her book to act as an informational guide to help others grow their families while saving as much money as possible so that more families can access surrogacy and advanced reproductive technology.
Book Review:
Yifat Shaltiel’s book is a roadmap to navigate a surrogacy journey without breaking the bank. Previous guides we have seen focus on the basic steps of the surrogacy journey, whereas this book shares how to save money at each step. Shaltiel does an incredible job of blending legal expertise with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone considering surrogacy to grow their family.
The book is especially helpful in breaking down the many ways a surrogacy journey can differ. She answers a common question “how much is a surrogacy journey” by emphasizing that there are many factors that can impact cost. For instance, she explains the option of paying for an agency’s matching services or going without one to save costs. The pros and cons are laid out clearly: while skipping an agency can save money, it also means you’re responsible for more of the planning, which takes time and effort. The same goes for fertility clinics—Shaltiel offers excellent advice on what to look for and how to verify statistics, which can make a big difference in both costs and results.
Surrogates are compensated a base amount on top of out of pocket fees, lost wages due to traveling for medical appointments, and possibly travel costs if they have to fly to attend appointments. Shaltiel shares that regardless of where IPs are located, the location of the surrogate affects the total cost of the surrogacy journey. It is helpful to understand which states have higher surrogate base compensation when you are in the process of working with an agency or proceeding with an independent journey to select a surrogate. Base compensation can vary significantly between states but it is not always determined by cost of living. This chapter in the book can help IPs narrow down the states when they are searching for a surrogate match.
Some journeys can be altruistic where the surrogate is not getting compensated by the intended parents (IPs). The total cost of a surrogacy journey can decrease significantly if the surrogate is not being compensated, like a family member volunteering to be a surrogate. An altruistic surrogacy journey will significantly reduce the costs since there is no base compensation.
Another important area the book covers is health insurance options for IPs if their surrogate does not have surrogacy-friendly insurance. Insurance is important to cover any medical costs or unexpected complications. She compares multiple scenarios with different insurance options so that readers can decide what is best for their situation.
Real-life experiences, like those shared by a couple who had two successful surrogacy journeys with Shaltiel’s agency Surrogate Steps, show how Shaltiel’s recommendations worked for them. They were able to cut costs in ways they had not expected, which makes this book a must-read for anyone considering surrogacy and who is looking for helpful tips affording the process. Save Money on Surrogacy is filled with insider knowledge and advice that can make the difference between a costly journey and one that is more affordable and manageable.
Conclusion:
These are just a few key points that make this guide stand out but Save Money on Surrogacy has many more points to reveal to the reader. Shaltiel has taken her experience and personal journey and transformed it into a guide that offers practical, money-saving tips for every step of the process.
For further reading on ways to save money on your surrogacy journey, check out our articles on Seedcoach, our financial coaching program, our blog on surrogacy grants, and using employee benefits like legal insurance for your IVF journey.
We at Tsong Law Group are here to assist you with the legal needs of your surrogacy journey. Our surrogacy attorneys, licensed in California, Washington, New York, Arizona, Illinois, and Oklahoma are ready to support you every step of the way. Contact us now to get started.
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