Brette Sember

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Rated A+ by Conceive Magazine

ePregnancy Magazine Editor's Pick

Every year assisted reproduction becomes more common as new reproductive technologies are added to the list of possible choices. Proven procedures and emerging technologies are discussed with answers to questions like:
- What should you do to prevent a sperm or egg donor from later claiming custody of your child?
- Why does a surrogate's husband need to be a party to the contract?
- What steps should you take for the disposition of frozen genetic material?

The procedures for all types of adoptions are covered, as well as the agreements, required notices, and documentation needed to support your decision. Learn more about:
- Protecting against a birth father claiming paternity
- When birth parents can revoke their consent to the adoption
- Your rights as a gay or lesbian couple to adopt
- Why you have to readopt a child adopted internationally

Reveiw from Publisher's Weekly: Sember, an attorney, offers a simple and useful primer for those struggling with fertility issues. She begins with adoption, explaining roles, responsibilities and legalities for birth mothers and adoptive parents; she then breaks down the various types of adoption (e.g., foreign vs. domestic; open vs. closed; agency vs. lawyer) and helpfully composes a pros and cons list for each one ("the type of adoption you choose will have an impact on your child"). Sember doesn't leave anyone out, and includes guidelines for single-parent, adult, and gay and lesbian adoptions. In the second part of the book, she takes a close look at infertility treatment, beginning with the chapter "Understanding & Evaluating Reproductive Technologies." She explains, "It is important that you come into the process with a good understanding of why natural conception is not working for you and what conditions or problems have brought you here." She then prepares a list of questions to ask reproductive specialists and explains such treatments as insemination, egg donation and surrogacy. She concludes with a glossary of terms and a solid list of references, including books, magazines and agencies.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Conceive Magazine says:
This book covers much more than the legalities, including the emotions of waiting for an adoption to come through, bonding with your adopted child, what reproductive technology cannot do for you, and the average fees for different techniques...There are excellent pros and cons lists and checklists for different decisions, such as domestic versus international adoption. Plus, the author lists laws by state, such as those that require a husband's consent before using donated sperm. "This book offers more specific advice for non-standard families than any adoption books I've read," says Rise Keller. "With timelines, websites, checklists, and questionnaires, this book can help any kind of family get organized and have more control over the adoption of infertility process." Who should buy it: Anyone considering adoption or infertility treatment will learn a lot from this book. Rating: A+

From ePregnancy Magazine
Whether you're considering assisted reproductive technology or adoption, you'll need to carefully consider your legal options with each step you take. The Complete Adoption and Fertility Legal Guide written by attorney Brette McWhorter Sember, helps you map out a plan from all the options available. A no-nonsense primer for couples struggling with fertility issues, the book outlines roles, responsiblities, and legalities for everyone involved.

"If you're using donated sperm, eggs, or embryos, it's essential that you understand the different terms and procedures and have details about what kind of genetic material is being used," Sember says. "With fertility procedures that involve your own genetic material, things are a bit clearer cut, but it's still important to understand your rights and contract terms."

Sember doesn't leave anyone out, and includes guidelines for every adoption option available, including open vs. closed, single parent and gay and lesbian adoption. You'll also find a list of questions to ask reproductive specialists, and you'll learn about insemination, egg donation, and surrogacy. We love the extensive glossary of terms and list of references, including books, magazines,and agencies. "Many people are intimidated by the home study and criminal background check process," Sember says. "The most important thing is to have patience as you work your way through the paperwork and waiting periods. If you are waiting to have a child placed with you, remember that your child is out there, and you will become a family."

About the Author: Brette McWhorter Sember is a former attorney who focused her practice on family law. She attended law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo and practiced in New York state before leaving her practice to become a writer. She is the author of 15 books, including The Visitation Handbook: Your Complete Guide to Parenting Apart. She is a member of ASJA (American Society of Journalist and Authors) and AHCJ (Association of Health Care Journalists). She is the recipient of the 2000 Media Award from Family and Home Network (formerly Mothers At Home).

Sember has extensive training in cases involving children and was on the Law Guardian panel in three counties. Her practice included adoptions, which she found to be the happiest cases to take place in Family Court. She is also a trained family mediator and is experienced in a wide variety of family issues. Children have always been her main focus throughout her career.

Sember writes and speaks often about children and families. Her work has appeared in magazines such as ePregnancy, Pregnancy, Child, and American Baby. She is the mother of two children and has personal experience with fertility issues.