Yahoo! News – Court Rules Sperm Donor Must Pay Support
Just in case you were having thoughts of being a nice guy and donating sperm to someone you know (or judging by this case, someone you may not know):
HARRISBURG, Pa. – A state appeals court ruled that a verbal agreement between a woman and her sperm donor was invalid, and ordered the man to pay child support for the woman’s twins.
The three-judge panel ruled Thursday that the deal between Joel McKiernan and Ivonne Ferguson — in which McKiernan donated his sperm and would not be obligated to pay any support — was unenforceable because of “legal, equitable and moral principles.”
Despite an agreement that appeared to be a binding contract, the father is obligated to provide financial support, the court decided.
“It is the interest of the children we hold most dear,’” wrote Senior Judge Patrick Tamalia.
If you are gonna give a teaspoon, get a lawyer to write up papers. It’ll be worth it in the end, apparently.