Court Orders Man To Pay Child Support For Babies Conceived By In-Vitro Fertilization

By Christina Rentz

Published on September 19, 2005

Michael Kepl engaged in an on-going affair with Teresa Brock for many years. During this time, Teresa tried to have a child. When she wasn't successful, the couple visited a Seattle fertility clinic. Teresa eventually conceived two boys using Michael's sperm. The boys are now three and six.

Michael Kepl originally paid Teresa $1,000 a month in child support for both children. However, after his wife found out about his other family, he abruptly stopped paying. Michael defended his actions by saying he was not the children's parent, just a sperm donor. According to the state's artificial insemination law, a sperm donor is not the legal father of the child unless both parties agree to it in writing before the pregnancy.

The Supreme Court did not agree with Michael's argument. For the first child, the court ruled that because Michael willing signed a paternity agreement and was actively involved in the child's life, he was legally obligated to pay child support. For the second child, the court said that this law does not cover in-vitro fertilization, a procedure that is different than artificial insemination because it is done in a lab instead of the womb.

Because these parties were romantically involved for a lengthy period of time, legal experts do not think this case will affect other issues and legal cases involving assisted-reproduction.

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