TESTIMONIALS ON JULIE’S BOOK - THE BOOMER BURDEN

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"If Boomers want a jump on what to expect as the lives of their parents wane; If Boomers want a blueprint for how to handle their parents' "stuff" and more; and if Boomers want anecdotal commentary that presents practical guidance for things they never thought of, then this little jewel is worth the time it takes to read and the modest cost to own."

A. Frank Johns, J.D., CELA
Elder Law Attorney
Booth Harrington & Johns, PLLC

Julie has created a masterpiece on how to help your parents and yourself deal with several very stressful and emotionally-charged issues. Julie's "storytelling" of examples garnered over many years of working with families guides her readers and creates scenarios that readers can easily relate to in their own lives. As a certified financial planner, all of my clients will be given a copy of Julie's book as required reading. This book is the most comprehensive and thoughtful work on a difficult and complex aspect of life. A must-read for Boomers dealing with everybody's "stuff"!

Adolphus W. Dunn III, CPA, CFP, AEP

 

 

 

"The Boomer Burden is an engaging and comprehensive treatment of the end of life dynamics between aging parents and aging children. Complete with helpful summaries and checklists, the author uses engaging anecdotes that exemplify the importance of the process. I will recommend it to my estate planning clients."

Malvern King
Partner, Pulley, Watson, King & Lischer, PA., Attorneys at Law

 

This is a phenomenal, poignant, and thorough examination into a subject area that is often overlooked. If every Boomer and their parent read this book, we'd have fewer family crises, fewer disputes to be settled by attorneys, and far less heartbreak after a parent's death. After you read it, you'll want to share it with everyone you know - regardless of their age!

-- Geriatric Care Manager
(comment from blog on Retirement.com)

I was amazed by the originality, depth and usefulness of this book.  I was literally burning the midnight oil trying to get to the end of this book.  The topic and usefulness span generations and is a marvelous resource for not only the Boomer, but also an excellent preparation guide for the parent who wishes to ease the clutter conundrum for their children.  This book can be a gift of love between generations and should not be overlooked.

– Deb Shraeder
 

I originally asked to review this book because my husband’s parents were getting older. I knew there would come a time when the information could be useful – let’s just say they have acquired lots of stuff in their 80-plus years. 

I didn’t realize just how important this book would become – and so soon. Shortly after I received the book, my husband lost his mother. Wait! We hadn’t even finished the first chapter, "First Signs." The most important chapter deals with recognizing that the parents are getting older and yes, my husband was hit with the "flying brick." He never saw it coming. My husband hadn’t thought both his parents wouldn’t be around for another holiday. In fact, nothing was thought out. 

The family swooped in and before Mom was in her final resting place, someone was staking claim on an item or many. They simply had overlooked the fact that Dad was, although considerably grief stricken, alive and kicking!  But, the thought occurred to me, what if there were just the family members left? How would things go then? Was this a dress rehearsal for things to come? 

I turned to The Boomer Burden and read it from front to back – making notes along the way for future reference. My husband needed to plan for the inevitable – his father’s death. He made a special trip to see his father – they spoke about funeral arrangements, a will, belongings, the love they had for each other, and last wishes. My husband learned that Dad was financially sound, was dealing with Mom’s passing in a stable way, and was taking care of himself. In fact, things had changed at Dad’s house – the biggest was the new microwave (Mom refused over the years to have one in the house). All was going well with Dad. 

There had been some things that were already distributed to family members. Jewelry was at the top of the list. However, it would seem that when a sister-in-law is in charge of the distributing, someone who isn’t the sister-in-law will get the broken-missing-a-stone-outdated-falling-apart pieces. Apparently this is not unusual, according to Julie Hall. Dad has the two “boys” as executors of the estate. According to The Boomer Burden, they should be the ones who decide how the remaining property is divided. However, the one son was there when his wife was making the jewelry ready for distribution – does anyone else see a problem waiting to happen? 

Hall states that there are ways to make the distribution of estate less painful and stressful. And, she should know since she has witnessed her share of family disagreements over estate property as “The Estate Lady.” 

The Boomer Burden covers most every situation with regards to dealing with your parents’ lifetime accumulation of stuff, and Hall provides valuable tips on handling most situations. After reading The Boomer Burden, I learned what not to do to my kids, so I am preparing a will, an inventory list that includes who gets what and what should be done with the remainder, and clearing out the “stuff” that could burden them when my time comes. 

If you have parents – you must have The Boomer Burden.

– Sue Vogan, writer & author of NCO – No Compassion Observed.

This book is excellent. I couldn’t put it down. Really hits home. Thanks for writing what we need to know but everyone’s afraid to ask.  

–Sandra

This book is SO relevant.  I found myself in every page - I recognized some of the symptoms This book prompted us to consider the future with greater seriousness.  The book is well-written and the examples it gives are not far-fetched but very real to us older folk.  We are both grateful to you for helping us face reality. 

 – Joe M.

The Boomer Burden has answered virtually every question I could think of as well as some I had not yet considered.  I am confident Julie's experience and suggestions will be extremely helpful to me, my siblings, and our parents.  Thank you, Julie, for following your heart's desire! 

 --Marsha Sherrill

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I just finished reading your book and it hit home you have no idea!  My brother and I just lost our father and we are trying to clean out his estate in CA.  An avid car collector, 10 "garages" a large machine shop, main shop, wood shop, 5 acres, and a large home filled with things!  It's been hard on the family and I am trying to get my brother to read the book as things you said in there are EXACTLY what we are going through as it's hard on his own family and his own kids.  I had to quit my job and moved back to his home town to work on the house for about a year.  Thank you for writing such a great book!  I will be telling many people about it!

--Michelle Bauer, CA

Thank you so much for writing The Boomer Burden.  After our daughter died in April, both my parents and I realized that our affairs were not in any sort of order.  My mother, after reading one chapter, put the book down, and went straight to her cedar chest to begin going through it.  Though my parents barely qualify as "boomers," having been born at the very end of the baby boom, and I am only in my twenties, we found your book to be a clear, straightforward resource.

--Katherine W.

A friend of mine sent me your book. I have read it cover to cover, and will pass it along to my children. Such a wealth of information! I have made suggestions to my friends and also told them about your book. Thank you for this book! 

--Nita Hoban

Your book arrived just as I was setting out to attend my friend's funeral so I was in the right frame of mind for reading about the issues that Julie Hall deals with in this very practical guide. Like most people, though, I tend to avoid discussions about age, infirmity and dying, thinking there will be time enough to get things sorted. What I have learned from reading The Boomer Burden is that simple preparations now will save a lot of distress and difficulty later.(The burden that is referred to in the title is the stuff and not the aged parents!) It is inevitably more painful and distressing to have to make those decisions when the family is already distressed by the infirmity or death of their parent than if they had been discussed and planned together at an earlier stage.

 – Mrs. McGurtry

Julie Hall is an expert in valuing and liquidating personal estates. She has witnessed the problems that families face when their parents have left no will or clear instructions about their wishes. In The Boomer Burden, she identifies all the potential difficulties and offers her professional advice on how to deal with them and, better still, how to avoid them in the first place.

 – Kathleen C.

The sticker on the cover says that this is 'A must-have book for every baby boomer' but I would say it is a must-have book for every family. If we could all talk more openly about what we would like to happen should we become too infirm to manage in our home, where we keep our important documents and what we would like to happen to our treasured possessions, it would prevent a lot of heartache for those who have to sort things out after we die or have to move to more suitable accommodation. It might also prevent family quarrels and even lawsuits.

– William K.

The Boomer Burden deals with the sensitive issue of death, and the unfortunate consequences of not preparing for it wisely. What do you do when you have elderly parents who are still in relatively good health, and who could consider questions about their finances and last wishes an invasion of their privacy? The book motivated me to call my sister and make plans to get together to talk with my parents. I will be taking The Boomer Burden with me for reference, and to help me voice my concerns that their final wishes are noted and carried out when the time comes.

Do you know what is valuable and what is junk when dealing with your parent’s stuff? Do you know what to do to keep their treasures from disappearing even before they are gone? The author addressed all of these important questions and more in The Boomer Burden. I give it 5 stars.

This would be an excellent gift to your parents so they can read about it–without you being the “bad guy.” It gives more questions than answers, but it is a super jumping-off place for family discussion. Also consider getting another copy and donating to your church library.  As hard as it is, being prepared, talking things out, is better than handling things in a crisis without any ideas of how, who, or what.

Armchair Interviews says: An important book for Boomers and their parents. 

-- Reviewed by Jan Warren

««««« book lover (new york city) - 
This book is very much recommended. In a very readable book, Julie Hall can help you think through your own action plan, get this job accomplished and maintain your sanity to boot. I've kept this book close at hand while I work through all my parents' stuff and boy do I have some war stories to tell. It really makes a difference to read this book and talk to as many people as you can -- there are lots of folks in the same boat and for the most part they are happy to share their own tips and maybe even offer a little help.

The Boomer Burden is a very good book about the issues surrounding the inevitable death of a parent and the many problems and challenges one can expect when this sad event comes to pass. The book is written with baby boomers in mind, but its advice is timeless and can apply toward anyone. Obtaining a will, protecting parents from fraud, and cleaning out your own house are among the many useful pieces of advice in The Boomer Burden. It's a solid book with estate advice that, while not necessarily something we like to think about, is practical and sensible.  

--Bryan-Carey