TimC Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Link A man who donated sperm for a lesbian couple's two children must pay support, the state Superior Court ordered in a ruling that legal experts are calling a precedent. In reaching the decision, the three-judge panel said that since Carl L. Frampton Jr., who died while the case was pending, had involved himself as a stepparent, he assumed some of the parenting duties. Legal experts say the ruling is unique in making more than two people responsible for a child. It also brings into question when a sperm donor is liable for support, though at least one expert said the ruling shouldn't worry truly anonymous donors. Senior Judge John T.K. Kelly wrote in the April 30 ruling that Frampton had held himself out as a stepparent to the children by being present at the birth of one of them, contributing more than $13,000 during the last four years, buying them toys, and having borrowed money to obtain a vehicle in which to transport the children. "While these contributions have been voluntary, they evidence a settled intention to demonstrate parental involvement far beyond merely biological," the judge wrote. Robert Rains, who teaches family law at Penn State Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle and is a co-director of the school's family law clinic, said the decision should not intimidate men who contribute to sperm banks. "This should be entirely different from a guy who goes to a sperm bank and makes a donation with the understanding that he will remain anonymous," Rains said. But a court essentially recognizing three parents? "I'm unaware of any other state appellate court that has found that a child has, simultaneously, three adults who are financially obligated to the child's support and are also entitled to visitation," said New York Law School professor Arthur S. Leonard, an expert on sexuality and the law. Jodilynn Jacob, 33, and Jennifer Lee Shultz-Jacob, 48, moved in together in 1996 and were granted a civil-union license in Vermont in 2002. In addition to conceiving the two children with the help of Frampton, a longtime friend of Shultz-Jacob's, Jacob adopted her brother's two older children, now 13 and 12. But the women's relationship fell apart, and Jacob and the children moved out of their Dillsburg home in February 2006. Shortly afterward, a court awarded Jacob, who now lives in Harrisburg, about $1,000 a month in support from Shultz-Jacob. Shultz-Jacob later lost an effort to have the court force Frampton to contribute support -- a decision the Superior Court decision overturned. Frampton, 60, of Indiana, Pa., died of a stroke in March. "I just think that if three people are saying they're all parents of the kids, the responsibility should be shared by the three, and that's what everybody was saying," Shultz-Jacob said yesterday. "I think there's probably more families out there like ours," she said. "I think it's an interesting area of the law that we're probably going to see more of. The families are becoming more and more complex, and our courts rightfully or wrongfully are going to have to deal with these types of situations," said Heather Z. Reynosa, Shultz-Jacob's attorney. As part of the Superior Court order, a Dauphin County judge was directed to establish how much Frampton would have to pay Jacob. Reynosa, wants Frampton's support obligation, which might have to come from his Social Security survivor benefits, to be made retroactive to when Jacob first filed for support. His support payments might also help reduce Shultz-Jacob's monthly obligation. Lori Andrews, a Chicago-Kent College of Law professor with expertise in reproductive technology, said as many as five people could claim some parental status toward a single child if its conception involved a surrogate mother, an egg donor and a sperm donor. "The courts are beginning to find increased rights for all the parties involved," she said. "Most states have adoption laws that go dozens of pages, and we see very few laws with a comprehensive approach to reproductive technology." The state Supreme Court is considering a similar case, in which a sperm donor wants to enforce a promise made by the mother that he would not have to be involved in the child's life. That biological father was ordered to pay $1,520 in monthly support. About two-thirds of states have adopted versions of the Uniform Parentage Act that shields sperm donors from being forced to assume parenting responsibilities. Pennsylvania has no such law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 This cannot be serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 (edited) This cannot be serious. It is. And I still haven't forgiven Squeegie for suing me like that. Edited May 10, 2007 by yo mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 My peepee ain't ever coming out to play again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I'm speechless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 My peepee ain't ever coming out to play again. This implies that it ever has. As to the subject at hand.... not good. Though, by involving himself I think he opened himself up to this, whether it is right or wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 You know brother Spain is gonna have fun with thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 (edited) This is F'n insane. Don't you love lawyers and liberal judges. Edited May 10, 2007 by Perchoutofwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 This is F'n insane. Don't you lawyers and liberal judges. Good info here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 that is fbucken insane.... good lord Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 that is fbucken insane.... good lord Now you are getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Now you are getting it. im so anti lawyer that even my lawyer know i think hes a piece of Sega!e . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 im so anti lawyer that even my lawyer know i think hes a piece of Sega!e . OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Jesus, I'm starting to think donating all of that sperm back in college wasn't such a good idea. I can see it now, "Man that spawned 98 kids through sperm bank responsible for child support." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 im so anti lawyer that even my lawyer know i think hes a piece of Sega!e . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmon Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I'm still not buying this is legit. If it is... there's no way it will make it past an appeals court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I'm still not buying this is legit. If it is... there's no way it will make it past an appeals court. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 i like u mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 i like u mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I'm still not buying this is legit. If it is... there's no way it will make it past an appeals court. Agreed. The dude had a stroke and died in the middle of the case. Who is going to appeal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 The dude had a stroke and died in the middle of the case. Who is going to appeal? His family? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Jesus, I'm starting to think donating all of that sperm back in college wasn't such a good idea. I can see it now, "Man that spawned 98 kids through sperm bank responsible for child support." There's no proof you shoot bullets yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 (edited) There's no proof you shoot bullets yet. I'd say my 7.5 month pregnant wife would have a different opinion on that subject, considering the month we decided to start having kids she was pregnant the following month. I'm a fertile m'fer. I could just walk by your wife and she'd be pregnant. Edited May 10, 2007 by twiley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I'd say my 7.5 month pregnant wife would have a different opinion on that subject. I want to see the baby first. If it's black or Mexican then you're still under suspicion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 This is shocking. They don't sign any release forms before they release the sperm? This is wacked! Literally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.