Artificial Reproductive Technology Questions To Consider

Artificial reproductive technology is on the rise and canaffect a person’s right to inherit. It can also affect who the heir is. Moreover,this technology affects dependency status for purposes of retirement andSocial Security benefits. State law governs artificial reproductive technologyso it varies in each jurisdiction. Deborah Jacobs has highlighted ten questionsregarding artificial reproductive technology to consider.

1. Are you depositing reproductive material for donation orpreservation purposes?
2. Who owns the donated reproductive material?
3. Have you consented to the use of the reproductive materialafter death?
4. Do you want your reproductive material destroyed upon death?
5. Does the recipient of the reproductive material control thereproductive material or does the donor?
6. Who is covering storage cost of the reproductive material?
7. Does the donor of reproductive material retain any parental rights?
8. Can a child born and conceived after your death inherit fromyour estate?
9. How long after your death, can a beneficiary be conceived fromreproductive material?
10. How does artificial reproductive technology affect adoption? 

See Wendy Goffe, 10 More Estate Planning Questions That Might Make You Squirm, Forbes, Jun. 6, 2013.