The Role of the Trust and Surrogacy: How Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers Are Protected

Surrogacy is a journey full of emotions, complex medical decisions, and high-level legal procedures. However, one of the main challenges faced by both intended parents and gestational carriers is coordinating and securing the financial resources needed to carry the process through to completion. This is where the trust comes into play, an essential mechanism for ensuring transparency, protection, and peace of mind for all parties.

What Is a Trust and Why Is It Key in Surrogacy?

A trust is a legal contract executed before a notary, through which intended parents deposit into a banking institution—the trustee—the funds designated to cover the expenses and compensation of the surrogacy. This agreement establishes:

• The payment schedule: defining when and under what conditions the gestational carrier will receive each disbursement (contract signing, embryo transfer, pregnancy confirmation, etc.).
• The bank’s responsibilities: the trustee administers and releases the funds only when the agreed milestones have been met.
• Mutual protection: both the parents and the gestational carrier have the assurance that the resources will be used as agreed, avoiding misunderstandings or delays.

In this way, the trust acts as a specialized “escrow”: neither the agency nor the parents can freely access those funds, and the carrier knows her payments will arrive on time. This financial structure is the foundation of a safe and reliable surrogacy program.

Advantages for Intended Parents

1. Certainty in Disbursements

One of the greatest fears of intended parents is that, when the time comes, there won’t be enough resources to cover medical fees, legal costs, or the carrier’s compensation. With a trust:

• Each payment is tied to a specific event in the process (for example, embryo implantation or the baby’s birth).
• The bank automatically releases the funds when the established requirements are met, without the need for intermediaries or further approvals.
• Surprises are eliminated: parents know in advance the amount and timing of each disbursement, making planning easier and reducing financial anxiety.

2. Transparency and Monitoring

At Surrogate Mexico, we provide our intended parents with regular reports on the trust account. These statements detail:

• Every deposit made by parents at the start of the program.
• Every release of funds to the carrier or medical service provider.
• The balance available for unforeseen events (e.g., the need for an additional IVF cycle).

This level of transparency builds trust and allows any deviations or eventualities to be spotted in time.

Benefits for the Gestational Carrier

1. Fair and Secure Compensation

The carrier not only performs a generous service but also takes on a physical and emotional commitment. The trust guarantees her:

• On-time payment of her fees, without relying on third-party goodwill.
• Clear clauses that set the total amount and dates of each payment.
• Protection against contingencies, since the resources remain reserved even if a medical emergency arises.

2. Comprehensive Medical Coverage

Beyond financial compensation, the trust covers funding for:

• Major medical expense insurance to cover any complications during pregnancy or delivery.
• Life insurance to protect the carrier and, in case of accident, guarantee benefits for her family.
• 24/7 care by maternal-fetal medicine specialists, who monitor the pregnancy’s progress and act immediately at any sign of alarm.

3. Psychological and Logistical Support

Care doesn’t end with medical aspects. With the funds in trust, Surrogate Mexico coordinates:

• Psychological therapy sessions before, during, and after pregnancy.
• Home visits and socioeconomic evaluation to ensure the carrier lives in a stable, risk-free environment.
• Personalized support via a concierge who serves as the continuous link between carrier, intended parents, and medical team.

How the Payment Schedule Is Typically Structured

Although each program can be tailored to particular needs, a sample disbursement scheme could be:

• Contract signing: an initial percentage upon formalizing the agreement.
• Embryo transfer: a second disbursement once the embryo is transferred.
• Pregnancy confirmation: a payment upon verifying via medical tests that the pregnancy has progressed.
• Mid-pregnancy (20 weeks): a disbursement recognizing the secure progress.
• Birth: a significant sum at the time of delivery.
• Postnatal: a final payment to cover the carrier’s and baby’s immediate care.

This model ensures the carrier receives financial backing throughout pregnancy and intended parents know exactly when each resource is allocated.

Surrogate Mexico’s Differentiator Compared to Other Agencies

In the surrogacy market, not all agencies employ trusts as rigorous as ours. At Surrogate Mexico:

• We work with leading banks, audited annually, that offer online access to account activity.
• We implement contingency clauses to cover additional IVF cycles or unexpected medical situations.
• We provide ongoing legal counsel, so any modification to the payment schedule or program is formally documented and approved.

This level of financial and legal detail positions us as the most reliable option for families worldwide.

Legal Aspects Linked to the Trust

1. Notarized Contract

Before any medical treatment, the following are signed:

• The surrogacy agreement, establishing rights and obligations of both parents and carrier.
• The trust agreement, defining amounts, payment dates, and conditions for fund release.

Both documents are formalized before a notary public, granting them full validity and enforceability.

2. Amparo and Filiation Process

While the trust guarantees resources, our legal team initiates an amparo (injunction) around week 12 of pregnancy, aiming to accelerate:

• The filiation ruling, recognizing intended parents as legal guardians before or immediately after birth.
• The baby’s registration in the Civil Registry without the carrier’s name appearing on the birth certificate.

Thus, financial and legal dimensions run in parallel, ensuring comprehensive results: economic backing and legal recognition.

Collateral Advantages of the Trust

• Conflict reduction: By releasing funds only under clear conditions, payment or timing disputes are avoided.
• Agility in emergencies: A contingency fund within the trust covers extra costs without renegotiation with parents.
• Greater carrier confidence: Knowing her well-being is guaranteed fosters a stronger bond and a more relaxed pregnancy experience.

How to Start and Manage Your Trust with Surrogate Mexico

1. Initial consultation: We explain the nature and advantages of the trust in detail.
2. Contract signing: We notarize both the surrogacy agreement and the trust contract.
3. Initial deposit: Parents make the first payment to the bank.
4. Automatic disbursements: The bank releases funds according to agreed milestones.
5. Periodic reports: Parents and carrier receive movement and balance statements.
6. Trust closure: Once postnatal care concludes, the trust is liquidated and final accounts are rendered.

Conclusion

The trust is the tool that shields the surrogacy process, ensuring resources are used transparently and punctually for both the protection of intended parents and the welfare of the carrier and baby. At Surrogate Mexico, we have perfected this mechanism through notarized contracts, trusted banks, and a dedicated legal team, offering you the security and peace of mind that every family-building journey deserves.Ready to begin your path to parenthood?
Contact us today and discover how our trust can be your greatest ally on this special journey