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Common Questions

Adoption in Iowa

  • In general, the following individuals are qualified to adopt:
    • 1. An unmarried adult.
    • 2. A married couple together.
    • 3. A step-parent of the person to be adopted.
  • A minor child must be placed with the prospective adoptive parent(s) for at least 180 days before the adoption can be finalized by a Judge. There are few exceptions to this requirement.
  • A Guardian Ad Litem is an attorney that is appointed by the Judge to represent the best interests of the child to be adopted.
  • Yes, you will need to have a current home study prior to placement of a child in your home. There are very few exceptions to this requirement, such as if you are an adopting step-parent.

Surrogacy in Iowa

  • This is not recommended. Each party (Intended Parents, Gestational Carrier and Spouse, and/or Donor and Spouse) should have independent legal representation in the contracting process. Sarah is connected in various professional networks and can provide contact information for other ART attorneys so that all parties can retain independent legal counsel.
  • In February 2018, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an opinion holding that gestational surrogacy contracts are enforceable in Iowa. P.M. and C.M. v. T.B. and D.B., 907 N.W.2d 522 (Iowa 2018).
  • Gestational surrogacy contracting generally takes place after all parties have completed medical and psychological screenings (and any other fertility clinic requirements) and prior to the gestational carrier starting medications for the embryo transfer procedure. Your fertility clinic can best advise you on timing for screenings and medical procedures.
  • This depends on the circumstances of your specific journey. Please contact your ART attorney to find out the necessary steps to obtain this.
  • You can obtain a social security number for your child by contacting your local social security office. They may require certain certified original documents for this process.
  • Typically, legal representation for contracting and establishing parentage can be accomplished through communication tools other than in person meetings (i.e., video conferencing, phone calls, secure electronic correspondence, etc.). This means that you do not need to be geographically located near your ART attorney. Sarah often represents clients across the state of Iowa and nationwide, where the appropriate jurisdiction for the legal process is the state of Iowa. If your case requires a court hearing, you may need to be available to attend in person.

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Disclaimer

The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Contact your adoption or ART attorney for legal advice specific to your family building journey.

More about sarah

Sarah attended Drake University Law School in Des Moines, graduating with honors and earning her JD in 2017. Sarah also attended Des Moines University, earning a Master of Health Care Administration. After graduating from her JD/MHA program, Sarah was admitted to practice law in the State of Iowa in fall 2017.

Sarah completed her undergraduate education at Iowa State University, graduating with double degrees in Criminal Justice and Spanish in 2010. Sarah then began a career in health care working for a medical office in South Carolina, where her husband served in the Marine Corps.

Sarah is currently an active member of the following professional associations:

  • Polk County Bar Association
  • Iowa State Bar Association, Family and Juvenile Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Committees: Adoption; Assisted Reproductive Technologies
  • Polk County Women Attorneys

Beyond her legal practice, Sarah is passionate about giving back to the community in the form of volunteering and serving on boards and committees for non-profit organizations.

Bar admissions

State of Iowa – 2017.

State of Colorado – 2021.

Education

J.D., Drake University Law School, with honors. 

Masters of Health Care Administration, Des Moines University, 2017.

Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice, Iowa State University, 2010.

Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, Iowa State University, 2010.

Speaking engagements

Careers in Health Care Law, Guest Speaker, Drake University Law School Health Law Society and Public Interest Law Association, November 2021.

Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Guest Lecture, Drake University Law School Family Law Class, November 2021.

Solo and Small Firm Panel, Polk County Women Attorneys, September 2021.

community involvement

Founding Board Member, Engage Ankeny.

Board Member, Latina Leadership Initiative of Greater Des Moines.

Volunteer Committee Member, Can Do Cancer.

Volunteer Attorney, Polk County Bar Association.

Volunteer Lawyer Project.

Volunteer Attorney, American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project.

Annual Participant in the Cady Day of Public Service.

Graduate of Ankeny Leadership Institute Class of 2019.

Past Board Member, Polk County Women Attorneys.

Past Volunteer Committee Member, Susan G. Komen Greater Iowa.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Iowa

Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA)

Family Law Section Member

Polk County Bar Association (PCBA)

Polk County Women Attorneys (PCWA)

Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, Member

Greater Des Moines Partnership, Member

Colorado

Colorado Bar Association (CBA)

National

American Bar Association (ABA), Family Law Section

Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee Member

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

Legal Professionals Group Member

Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS)

Resolve: The National Infertility Organization