The Boomer Burden: Dealing With Your Parents' Lifetime Accumulation of Stuff by Julie Hall (2008, Paperback)

This is a book that I wish I'd had years ago. My Mom just passed away and we're dealing with a lot of these issues. It is a necessary read for anyone who has elderly parents or for parents who will be leaving an estate for their children to deal with. It could prevent a lot of headaches and heartache. It gives valuable tips about dealing with your parents belongings. I recommend the book to everyone.

Written by the Estate Lady who has years of experience closing homes upon deaths or as we age and change housing depending on our health needs. It was filled with valuable advice on not only what to do but what HUGE mistakes one can make that will cause not only financial hardships but hard feelings between the best intentions of family members as well as well meaning neighbors. The division of someone's goods causes more friction than one can imagine. Buy this book, you won't regret the information, several ideas I had never given thought to. The only thing I disagreed on was advice (This was one paragraph on one page) on finding a broker for investments, I would buy any of Suze Orman books and follow her advice and not pay for services I could do myself.

This easy read lays out everything a person needs to do, from how to set up meetings between siblings to avoid any conflicts through exactly what rooms to begin with and what to end with in cleaing out a house full of goods. And how to get aging parents to understand their forgetfullness may cause serious injury and it may be time for assisted housing etc. All the way to the simple fact that there is no market for stacks of old magazines unless they are collectibles, she covers what is collectable to a fair degree and even better how to avoid getting rid of things of high value thinking they are junk. I bought it so I could deal with my own stuff and not cause anyone grief over any of it. Makes me happy I talked my husband out of saving all his Dirt Bike magazines. ;o)

My husband and I have survived the deaths of our parents, and how I wish we'd had this book to help us sort through the stuff. I'm glad that we've discovered it now, however. We will use this valuable tool with our children to plan along with us to better prepare for our passings.

This book is broken down into fifteen easy-to-read chapters with information boxes and ending with "What Do I Do Now?" checklists. At the end of the book, the author has kindly added four convenient appendixes: "Your Complete Parent Care Checklist," "Helpful Resources," "Documents and Information to Locate," and "Wish List Spreadsheet." Chock full of real life experiences and tips to help the most difficult times go more smoothly, every household could use this handy resource as a guide.

All siblings and their parents should read this book before starting the conversation about disposition of the family estate. Many of the topics covered are things we know we should discuss with family members, but usually we are hesitant to start the dialogue. Buy the book, read it, implement the ideas--now. Do it before a parent dies and you are forced to make decisions that might not to in everyone's interest.

I like the fact that finally someone has a book about the trials us Baby Boomers deal with. I love how the author breaks down how to disperse of aged/or deceased parents collected items! I bought it because I am at the age where this challenge is hitting me hard. This book helps to ease it!