The Role of Escrow and Trust Accounts — Who Handles the Money, and Why It Matters

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Surrogate’s Corner, attorney James Mahan welcomes Abby Helmuth of SeedTrust, a trusted escrow fund management company specializing in surrogacy and egg donation. Together, they break down how escrow works, why neutral third-party fund management matters, and how surrogates can benefit from transparency, automation, and contract-backed payment processing. Abby shares insights on how escrow protects both intended parents and surrogates, the difference between simple disbursement vs. fund management, and why SeedTrust’s platform improves clarity, security, and peace of mind in the surrogacy journey. Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to SeedTrust and guest Abby Helmuth 00:40 – What is an escrow company and why it matters in surrogacy 01:35 – Difference between fund disbursement and fund management 02:45 – When escrow should be set up during the journey 04:00 – Managing contracts vs. just releasing funds 05:10 – Why third-party neutrality matters 06:30 – Avoiding overpayments, underpayments, and misuse of funds 08:00 – How SeedTrust improves transparency for surrogates 09:10 – Recommendations for escrow funding timelines 10:20 – Escrow minimum balances and what happens when funds dip too low 12:00 – Real examples of issues caused by improper fund handling 14:10 – How surrogates interact with SeedTrust’s platform 15:30 – Dedicated teams and customer service from start to finish 16:45 – Independent journeys vs. agency-supported escrow 18:15 – Who submits reimbursement requests? (Surrogate, agency, or both) 19:40 – Key differences in fund management for independent matches 21:00 – Dealing with international fund transfers and delays 22:30 – Tracking account minimums and automated alerts 24:00 – Why surrogates shouldn’t use PayPal or Venmo 25:10 – How SeedTrust’s lost wages tool works (and why it’s a game-changer) 27:00 – Ensuring accurate calculations from pay stubs and deductions 29:10 – Tips for surrogates on choosing an escrow company 30:40 – Why SeedTrust’s structure benefits both IPs and surrogates 32:00 – Final thoughts and how to contact SeedTrust About the Show: The Surrogate’s Corner with James Mahan is a legal podcast created to guide surrogates, intended parents, and donors through every stage of third-party reproduction. Each episode offers candid, insightful legal commentary and expert guests who share practical tools to empower all parties involved in the surrogacy process. Learn more: SurrogatesCorner.com Visit SeedTrust: https://seedtrustescrow.com/