Guest Blogger: ACRC
ACRC is a leading Surrogacy and Egg/Sperm Donation agency committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive services. Our headquarters is in Irvine, California, with offices in 12 U.S. cities, including Silicon Valley, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, along with subsidiaries in Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, and Shanghai.
We partner with Intended Parents globally, offering support and guidance throughout their journey to parenthood. Our role is to facilitate seamless communication between Intended Parents, Surrogates, and Egg/Sperm Donors. To better serve our diverse clientele, we offer language support in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Mandarin Chinese.
In surrogacy, financial trust is just as important as emotional and logistical support. One of the most critical decisions Intended Parents face is how to safely manage funds throughout the journey. While some agencies hold client money directly, real-world experience shows that this approach can carry risks. That’s why more families and ACRC Surrogacy choose independent escrow providers like SeedTrust to protect everyone involved.
What Are the Risks When a Surrogacy Agency Holds Funds Itself?
When an agency manages Intended Parents’ funds internally, several issues can arise:
- Lack of Transparency
Families may not receive real-time updates on payments, creating confusion about when and how funds are disbursed.
- Conflict of Interest
Agencies that both manage surrogacy journeys and manage the funds can face blurred lines in decision-making. This may put Surrogates or Intended Parents at risk if disputes arise.
- Financial Mismanagement
Even with the best intentions, agencies are not financial institutions. Mistakes or, in rare cases, misconduct can jeopardize large sums of money meant for medical bills, insudanxelegal fees, or Surrogate compensation.
- Stress During Disputes
If complications occur, such as a delayed payment or disagreement, families can feel powerless without a neutral third party to manage the process.
Have Intended Parents Faced Problems When Agencies Manage Funds Directly?
From experience, ACRC Surrogacy has seen from our clients working with other agencies that hold funds in-house how these risks play out in real life. While every case is unique, a few common patterns emerge:
- Delayed Payments Creating Stress for Surrogates
A Surrogate once had to wait weeks for a reimbursement because an agency was holding the funds and didn’t disburse them promptly. The delay caused financial strain and created tension between the Surrogate and Intended Parents. With independent escrow, payments are scheduled and automatically tracked, preventing unnecessary conflict.
- Disputes Between IPs and Surrogates
Occasionally, disagreements arise over reimbursements or expenses. When the agency itself holds funds, Surrogates may feel the agency is taking sides. An independent escrow provider adds neutrality, helping resolve issues fairly without damaging relationships.
These scenarios highlight an important truth: when financial matters are intertwined with agency operations, the risk of conflict and stress grows. This is why, as a surrogacy agency focused on trust, ACRC Surrogacy chooses to partner with independent escrow companies to ensure complete financial transparency and protection for every Intended Parent, Surrogate, and Egg or Sperm Donor involved in the journey.
What are the Benefits of Independent Escrow for Surrogacy Payments?
By contrast, independent escrow services like SeedTrust bring clarity, safety, and peace of mind:
- Neutral Third-Party Oversight: Escrow providers operate independently of agencies, ensuring funds are managed fairly and without bias.
- Financial Safeguards: Families’ money is stored in dedicated, insured accounts, protecting against financial risk.
- Clear Recordkeeping: Every deposit, payment, and disbursement is documented, providing Intended Parents with full transparency.
- Timely Payments: Medical providers, Surrogates, and third parties are paid on schedule, ensuring trust and reducing stress.
- Reduced Risk of Disputes: Independent oversight ensures that financial matters don’t interfere with the relationship between Intended Parents and their Surrogate.
- Experienced Legal Oversight: Reputable escrow providers like SeedTrust maintain dedicated legal teams who ensure that all transactions follow applicable surrogacy laws, contracts, and state regulations. This additional layer of legal protection safeguards both Intended Parents and Surrogates, giving families greater confidence and peace of mind.
| “Independent escrow protects Intended Parents, Surrogates, and agencies alike. It builds confidence and trust—foundations that are essential for a positive surrogacy journey.” —Ivy Lai, Intended Parent Department Manager at ACRC Surrogacy |
How Does Independent Escrow Protect Intended Parents, Surrogates, and Donors?
For Intended Parents, knowing their investment is safeguarded allows them to focus on the joy of building their family. For Surrogates, independent escrow provides assurance that compensation and medical expenses will be covered reliably. For agencies, partnering with a service like SeedTrust ensures financial integrity while allowing them to focus on what they do best: supporting families emotionally, logistically, and medically.
Lessons Learned: Why Independent Escrow Matters
- Transparency builds trust — Independent escrow ensures every dollar is tracked, reducing stress for Intended Parents and Surrogates.
- Neutrality prevents conflict — With a third-party holding funds, disputes can be resolved fairly without agencies feeling conflicted.
- Protection against the unexpected — Whether it’s agency changes, delays, or disputes, independent escrow keeps funds safe.
- Peace of mind for everyone — Families focus on building their future, Surrogates feel secure, and agencies can concentrate on support—not accounting.
Final Thoughts
What Is the Safest Way to Handle Surrogacy Payments as an Intended Parent?
The lessons are clear: while agencies play a critical role in guiding families through surrogacy, they should not be the ones holding client funds. Independent escrow provides the protection, transparency, and trust that every surrogacy journey deserves.
At ACRC Global, we proudly collaborate with partners like SeedTrust to ensure Intended Parents and Surrogates feel secure every step of the way.
👉 Learn more about how we support families by visiting ACRC Surrogacy Agency in California, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Vancouver, and more.