§6.40 Contracts for Parentage

• Library: Family Law Deskbook (2025 Ed.)

X. (§6.40) Contracts for Parentage

The MoUPA (Missouri Uniform Parentage Act), now §§ 210.817–210.854, RSMo 2016, contains almost no language that could be construed as regarding a contract for parentage. Section 210.826.3, RSMo 2016, refers to “an agreement, other than an agreement approved by the court in accordance with subsection 2 of section 210.838[, RSMo 2016].” Section 210.853, RSMo 2016, references a parenting plan that the parties could file jointly.

Caselaw also provides little guidance—primarily cases that involve sperm donors who were held not to be legal parents based on implied donation agreements between the donors and recipients. See A.I.A.K. v. T.M.K., 695 S.W.3d 11 (Mo. App. W.D. 2024) (children were the natural children of mother and her spouse; sperm donor had no claim or interest in the children); White v. White, 293 S.W.3d 1 n.1 (Mo. App. W.D. 2009), overruled on other grounds by In re T.Q.L., 386 S.W.3d 135 (Mo. banc 2012) (“sperm donor waived all parental rights to both children; his identity is unknown, and he has never been involved in the children’s lives or in these proceedings”).

Parties have at times been successful contracting around aspects of parentage, such as in cases involving contractual promises to financially support. Stein v. Stein, 831 S.W.2d 684 (Mo. App. E.D. 1992) (citing L. v. L., 497 S.W.2d 840 (Mo. App. W.D. 1973)).

Constitutionally, it is long-established that one parent cannot contract away a child’s future rights to parental support from the other parent. Siegfried v. Larue, 891 S.W.2d 556, 559 (Mo. App. W.D. 1995). Even if the evidence were sufficient to establish an agreement between the parties to modify future child support, the agreement would be void and unenforceable. Foster v. Foster, 703 S.W.2d 952, 954 (Mo. App. E.D. 1986); State ex rel. Bramlet v. Owsley, 834 S.W.2d 868, 871 (Mo. App. E.D. 1992).

But gamete donation statutes (spanning from their most basic form like § 210.824, RSMo 2016, to the more advanced ones like Colorado’s Donor Conceived Persons Act, Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-57) exist now in 40 states. See Ala. Code §§ 26-17-702 to -703 (2008); Alaska Stat. § 25.20.045 (2023); Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 25-501 (2014); Ark. Code Ann. § 9-10-201; Cal. Fam. Code § 7613 (2024); Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 19-4-106 (2024); Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a774 to -775 (2024); Del. Code Ann. tit. 13, §§ 8-201, -702 to -703 (2014); D.C. Code § 16-909 (2023); Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 742.11 (2023); 742.14 (2016); Ga. Code Ann. § 19-7-21 (2015); Idaho Code § 39-5403 (2021); 750 Ill. Comp. Stat. 46/702, 46/703 (2017); Kan. Stat. Ann. § 23-2301 (Supp. 2014); La. Civ. Code Ann. Art. 188 (2009); Md. Code, FL § 5-1001 (2019); Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 1-206 (1974); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 19-A §§ 1922–1923 (2016); Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 46, § 4B (West 2009); Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.2824(6) (2018); Minn. Stat. Ch. 257E (West 2024); Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.824 (1987); Mont. Code Ann. § 40-6-106(1) (2015); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 126.660, 126.670, 126.041; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 168-B:2 (2016); N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 40-11A-702,-703 (2010); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:17-44; N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 581-101 et seq. (2021); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 49A-1; N.D. Cent. Code §§ 14-20-60, -61; Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3111.95; Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10, § 552; Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 109.239, .243; R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-8.1-702 (2021); Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-306; Tex. Fam. Code §§ 160.702 to 703; Utah Code Ann. §§ 78B15-702 to -703; 15C Vt. Stat. Ann. § 708 (2024); Va. Code Ann. § 20-158 (2019); Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 26.26A.600 et seq. (West 2019); Wis. Stat. Ann. § 891.40(1) (West Supp. 2016); Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-2-902 to-903.

These statutes operate to overcome the presumption of parentage in donors, while establishing parentage in intended parents—some even in the case of unmarried intended parents. See, e.g., 750 Ill. Comp. Stat. 46/703 (2017); Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 742.11; Nev. Rev. Stat. 126.590 (2013); N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 168-B (2023); Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 26.26A.605, 26.26A.610 (West 2019).

Moreover, 24 states now have statutes governing or at least outlining requirements for gestational surrogacy agreements. See Cal. Fam. Code § 7960–7962 (2020); Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 19-4.5-101 et seq. (2021); Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-521 et seq. (2022); Del. Code Ann. tit. 13, §§ 8-801 et seq. (2014), D.C. Code § 16-404 (2017); Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 742.15, 742.16 (2023), 63.213 (2013); Idaho Code § 7-1601 (2023); 750 Ill. Comp. Stat. 47/5 et seq. (2015); La. Rev. Stat. tit. 9, §§ 2718 et seq. (2016); Mass. Gen. Laws c. 209C (2025); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 19-A, §§ 1931 (2016); Mich. Stat. Ann. §§ 722.1701 et seq. (2025); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 126.500, 126.810 (2013); N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 168-B (2023); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:17-65 et seq. (2018); N.Y. Fam. Ct. 581-401 et seq. (McKinney...