Need professional legal advice? Request a Consultation Now →
Whether you are pursuing your dream of becoming a parent or considering becoming a surrogate, the surrogacy journey involves important legal, medical, and emotional decisions. Cozakos & Centeno helps intended parents and surrogate mothers navigate the legal process with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
Led by attorney Shelly Cozakos, one of only four Idaho attorneys who are members of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), our firm provides experienced representation to families throughout Idaho, across the United States, and internationally.
Schedule Your Consult – Contact Us!
Surrogacy is generally legal in Idaho. However, surrogacy law is complex and continues to evolve. While certain legal principles apply nationally, many aspects of surrogacy are governed by state law, and regulations can vary significantly from one state to another. As surrogacy has become increasingly common, both state and federal laws, court decisions, and best practices continue to develop.
Experienced legal representation helps protect intended parents and surrogate mothers through carefully drafted agreements, parentage proceedings, and guidance throughout the process. Because every surrogacy journey is unique and laws can change over time, it is important to work with an attorney who has the knowledge and experience necessary to navigate the legal issues involved and help ensure that everyone involved is properly protected.
Families pursue surrogacy for many reasons. Some have experienced infertility. Others face medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe. Same-sex couples and single parents may also choose surrogacy as a path to parenthood.
Regardless of how your journey begins, surrogacy is built on trust, communication, and legal protections designed to support everyone involved.
At Cozakos & Centeno, we understand that surrogacy is far more than a legal transaction. It is the beginning of a family’s story.
A surrogacy agreement establishes expectations and protects the interests of everyone involved.
These agreements often address:
Surrogate mothers deserve independent legal counsel and a complete understanding of their rights before entering into a surrogacy agreement.
Shelly Cozakos helps surrogate mothers understand:
Over the past several years, Idaho has become increasingly attractive to intended parents from across the United States and around the world.
Many people seeking a surrogate are drawn to Idaho because of the state’s reputation for healthy lifestyles, supportive legal environment, healthy and family-oriented culture, established medical expertise and the affordable surrogacy costs. As a result, Idaho has become a growing hub for gestational surrogacy.
Working with an experienced Idaho surrogacy attorney helps ensure that intended parents and surrogate mothers have clear agreements and appropriate legal protections throughout the process.
Attorney Shelly Cozakos leads the firms surrogacy and assisted reproductive law practice.
Shelly is a member of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), a prestigious organization whose members demonstrate significant experience and dedicaation to adoption and assisted reproductive law. Shelly is one of only four attorneys in Idaho to hold this distinction.
Together, Shelly Cozakos and attorney Susan Centeno help intended parents and surrogate mothers navigate complex legal issues with compassion and personalized attention.
Surrogacy involves far more than signing documents. Successful surrogacy arrangements include thoughtful and careful consideration as well as a strong knowledge and clear understanding of the following:
Because every surrogacy journey is unique, experienced legal guidance can help provide peace of mind throughout the process.
Consult with Our Surrogacy Attorneys – Contact Us!
Cozakos & Centerno have more than 35 years of experience working with adoptive families and birth parents. We understand adoption can be overwhelming. The adoption process involves important legal rights, court proceures, and documentation requirements. Families and birth parents often have additional questions. Below are answers to some of the most common Idaho adoption questions.
Yes. Surrogacy is generally legal in Idaho. Because surrogacy laws are primarily governed by state law and legal requirements can change and evolve over time. Experienced legal guidance is important to help protect intended parents and surrogate mothers throughout the process.
A surrogacy agreement should be completed before an embryo is transfered. Establishing clear expectations and legal protections early helps reduce misunderstandings and provides peace of mind for everyone involved.
Yes. Intended parents should have experienced legal representation to prepare agreements, address parentage issues, and help navigate the legal aspects of the surrogacy journey.
Yes. Same-sex couples, heterosexual couples, and single individuals may pursue surrogacy as a path to parenthood.
Yes. Idaho has become an increasingly popular destination for intended parents from across the United States and around the world seeking gestational surrogacy.
A surrogacy agreement typically addresses compensation, medical decisions, insurance, communication expectations, confidentiality, parentage issues, and arrangements surrounding delivery and birth.
Parentage proceedings help establish the intended parents as the child’s legal parents and provide important legal protections before or after birth.
Yes, Single individuals may pursue surrogacy and work with experienced professionals to build their families.
Interestate surrogacy arrangements are common. Experienced legal guidance helps address differences in state laws and ensures that all parties are appropriately protected.
Yes. Independent legal representation is considered a best practice and helps ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the surrogacy process.
Compensation varies depending on the agreement and individual circumstances. A surrogacy agreement should clearly outline compensation, reimbursements, and other benefits.
No, not in a gestational surrogacy arrangement. In the gestational surrogacy arrangement, the intended parents are recognized as the child’s legal parents.
Yes. Surrogates are involved in the matching process and have the opportunity to get to know the intended parents before moving forward.
Depending on the agreement, expenses may include medical costs, maternity clothing, travel, lost wages, childcare, and other pregnancy-related expenses.
Surrogacy agreements often address medical decisions and unexpected circumstances. Having clear expectations and experienced legal guidance helps provide protection for everyone involved.
Yes. In fact, many surrogacy programs prefer women who have previously experienced healthy pregnancies and are currently raising children.
Many surrogates and intended parents maintain ngoing relationships, although the level of contact varies from family to family.
Surrogacy agreements involve important legal, financial and medical considerations. Working with an attorney experienced in assisted reproductive law helps ensure that you fully understand your rights and responsibilities before moving forward.
Consult with Our Adoption Attorneys – Contact Us!
At Cozakos and Centeno, our team of experienced Boise attorneys values our clients and believes that legal counsel should be widely available. Together, we have over 35 years of experience practicing law. We have extensive experience in adoption and surrogacy law, estate planning and probate law, family and divorce law, and bringing justice to business law, including litigation. Cozakos and Centeno have a long-standing positive reputation in Idaho and within our practice areas, as well as an impressive track record of success.
If you’re looking for a law firm in Boise’s Metropolitan area or Treasure Valley, you’re probably dealing with something important and time-sensitive.
At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we don’t just “handle cases.” We step in when situations are complex, contested, or too important to get wrong. Whether you’re navigating probate, facing a family law issue, building a business, or working through an adoption, our team brings both legal strategy and real-world experience to the table.
We serve individuals and families across Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley, with a focus on clear guidance, strong advocacy, and outcomes that protect what matters most.
Our core practice areas are below. How can we help you to find the right path forward?
At Cozakos & Centeno Law Firm in Boise, Idaho, we are committed to helping you navigate complex legal issues with ease. Our experienced and dedicated team of attorneys specializes in adoption and surrogacy law, estate planning and probate law, family and divorce law, and business law. Our team takes pride in providing personalized attention to each of our clients. We believe in practical, personal, and professional legal services, tailored to meet your unique needs and interests. Trust us to provide you with effective representation and guidance throughout the legal process. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team of Boise attorneys. We can assist you in finding the right solution for your legal matter.
“Shelly is the only attorney I work with (both professionally and personally) and also the only attorney I feel confident to refer clients. She has been providing legal services for my company for 13 years and knowing I can completely trust and rely on her has brought peace during times of extreme stress. Shelly is strong but also caring, and able to think ahead in a case and plan accordingly. She is excellent dealing with highly emotional clients and has a calming presence in times of crisis. Having utilized Shelly’s legal services both professionally and personally, and knowing others that have used her services as well, I know she is incredibly competent in several areas of the law. I have told many people about Shelly and always describe her as ‘brilliant and the only attorney I feel comfortable working with.’”
