How can we prevent a sperm donor from having to pay child support?

Your best protection is to buy from a sperm bank since sperm bank donors have no way of knowing if they have any kids, let alone who the mothers are. However, one of the many disputed issues in this newly developing area of the law is whether the identity of the donor should be secret or whether states should enact legislation permitting disclosure to the child of his or her biological father.

If you opt to find a private donor, your first step is to see a lawyer to draw up an artificial insemination contract. However, states are divided on whether the contract is enforceable. Some states won't enforce these contracts as a matter of public policy (parents should be on the hook for child support and should get visitation). Other states will enforce the contract (consenting adults can decide these things for themselves).

Termination of parental rights is probably the best bet if you insist on going private. Check with a lawyer to see if this suit can be brought by a private party and if it can be brought before the birth of the child (in California, for example, your rights can be finalized through a pre-birth Judgment of Maternity and Paternity).