Legal Framework
Louisiana law has historically been restrictive toward surrogacy. Louisiana Civil Code provisions make compensated surrogacy contracts difficult or impossible to enforce, and the legal environment creates significant uncertainty for intended parents. Louisiana courts have generally not supported the enforceability of gestational surrogacy agreements in the same way as surrogacy-friendly states.
Pre-Birth Orders in Louisiana
Pre-birth orders are not reliably available in Louisiana under the current legal framework. Parental rights may need to be established through lengthy post-birth proceedings.
What This Means for Intended Parents
Intended parents with Louisiana-based surrogates are strongly advised to: consult with both a Louisiana-licensed attorney and a surrogacy-friendly-state attorney, explore whether the surrogate is willing to deliver in a neighboring state with a stronger legal framework, and carefully assess the legal risks before proceeding.
⚠️ Louisiana is one of the most restrictive surrogacy states in the US. Intended parents are strongly advised to choose a different delivery state if possible.