Legal Question in Family Law in California

The key thing is HOW the sperm is donated. If it is done "the way mother nature intended," California does not legally allow him to relinquish his rights. I know this from personal experience when my girlfriend and I wanted to have a child together, but the relationship was new enough she wanted complete control if we split up. Turns out the biological father cannot give up rights (nor avoid the responsibilities - which is the core of the policy) unless there is medical intervention in the process. So, at a minimum you must use intra-uterine insemination administered by professionals. If you do go that route, any clinic you use will either have the forms or can point you to them, to confirm the donor has no rights. If you go the natural way, plan on legally being co-parents regardless of whatever informal arrangements you may agree on.

California legislative policy is hostile towards the concept of terminating parentage unless there's a third-party stepping forward to assume that responsibility.

Please meet with an experienced family law attorney who specializes in the field of adoption and artificial insemination cases.