In the Matter of Baby M
Significance, The Trial Begins, "by These Standards, We Are All Unfit Mothers", New Jersey Supreme Court's Opinion
Appellant
Mary Beth Whitehead
Appellees
William and Elizabeth Stern
Appellant's Claim
That the surrogacy contract was invalid and conflicted with parental rights and adoption statutes.
Chief Lawyers for Appellant
Harold Cassidy, Randy Wolf
Chief Lawyer for Appellees
Gary Skoloff
Justices for the Court
Robert Clifford, Marie L. Garibaldi, Alan B. Handler, Daniel O'Horn, Stewart G. Pollock, Gary S. Stein, Robert N. Wilentz (writing for the court)
Justices Dissenting
None
Place
Trenton, New Jersey
Date of Decision
3 February 1988
Decision
The New Jersey Supreme Court invalidated the surrogacy contract, finding it contrary to New Jersey law. It restored Whitehead's parental rights and invalidated Elizabeth Stern's adoption, but granted William Stern custody of the infant.
Sources
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/1997/dom/971201/box3.html
www.surroparenting.com/ivf.html
www.surroparenting.com/statspg.html
Additional topics
- In the Matter of Baby M: 1987 - A Child Is Born, And Plans Go Away, Whitehead Gets Support, Supreme Court Of New Jersey Overrules
- Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha - Significance, Further Readings
- In the Matter of Baby M - Significance
- In the Matter of Baby M - Further Readings
- In the Matter of Baby M - The Trial Begins
- In the Matter of Baby M - "by These Standards, We Are All Unfit Mothers"
- In the Matter of Baby M - New Jersey Supreme Court's Opinion
- In the Matter of Baby M - Surrogate Mothers
- Other Free Encyclopedias
Law Library - American Law and Legal InformationNotable Trials and Court Cases - 1981 to 1988