Dead Daddy Dollars

Did you hear the one about the dead sperm donor being forced to pay child support? In 1999 and 2000 a Pennsylvania lesbian couple created two turkey baster babies using sperm donated by the then-living father, a friend. The couple civil-unioned in Vermont in 2002, but broke up in 2006, with one of the women winning monthly child support payments from the other, but losing her request for child support from the sperm donor. This spring the donor died of a stroke. Ruling that he was known to the children (who called him "Papa") and because he'd given them presents of toys and clothing, an appeals court has ruled that his estate must now pay child support to the birth mother.

In most states, sperm donors cannot be forced into parental responsibilities. Not so in Pennsylvania. Keep that in mind, fellows.