Indiana

When I read about a case such as the one below, it reopens the need for education of Intended Parents (and their surrogates) by experienced legal counsel. Why did this Intended Parent think that this situation would work out for him in Indiana? Was he aware of the risks? Did he know that there were other options in other more appropriate venues, such as California?

The number of single fathers has risen dramatically in the U.S. and more than tripled in Allen County - in Indiana - in less than two decades, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. Last year, there were an estimated 3,344 single fathers in Allen County, defined by the census as male householders with no wife present, living with their own children younger than 18 years old.

A medical catastrophe has split a couple who have spent a life together. In March 2005, Patrick Atkins collapsed while on a business trip. He had a ruptured aneurysm and later suffered a stroke while hospitalized. Now his deeply religious family have taken over his guardianship - even barring his longtime partner, Brett Conrad, from seeing him. Phone calls are also no longer allowed.

What's been happening in the U.S. over the last ten years? A large increase in the number of gay and lesbian households in the middle of the country.