78 Million Boomers affected by 'Depression Era' Mentality

During the Great Depression, people learned quickly to save whatever they could. Resources were scarce and thus even more valuable. Many of the 78 million baby boomers whose parents learned how to hoard in order to survive are finding themselves having to deal directly with the effects of that mentality.

"Old habits certainly die hard," says The Estate Lady®, Julie Hall. "I see it over and over," she said. "As Boomers age and their parents become invalid or pass away, the added burden of having to deal with all that stuff left behind is compounded by the fact that their parents once hoarded items of value in order to stay alive and it ultimately became habitual."

Hall is multi-talented but at the top of the list is helping adult children liquidate the stuff left behind by their parents. While she's also a counselor, a detective, and a tangible asset appraiser, her main objective is to help those who suffer stress from having to deal with stuff that is left behind for them to deal with. "The rest takes care of itself," she said. Recently, Hall was featured on MSN Money and Bloomberg

A professional property appraiser with a unique specialization in the dissolution of estates, Hall goes on to explain that knowing the complete estate value can have much more than monetary worth. Having clarity regarding the real wealth-or lack thereof-hidden within family treasures can make for an easier divide of property among relatives. "Being able to sort through added stuff brought about by the 'Depression Era' mentality is even more necessary," says Hall.

"I have also seen even the tightest family relationships torn apart by feuds over the individual perceptions of value and fairness. This is a problem that can be avoided when everyone understands and can make informed decisions regarding the real value of the items at hand."

Hall's latest book, The Boomer Burden - Dealing with Your Parents' Lifetime Accumulation of Stuff, covers all the angles of professional estate liquidation, as the Baby Boomers, America's largest generation move into the age when their parents are passing on.

As a guest on your show, Julie can offer a glimpse into the book's comprehensive wealth of information and is prepared to take phone calls and answer questions from your audience, right on the air.

About Your Speaker

Julie Hall, known as The Estate Lady®, is a professional estate liquidator and certified personal property appraiser. With more than seventeen years experience with clients from the southeastern United States, she has assisted thousands of individuals in the daunting and often painful process of managing their deceased parents' affairs. In addition to her hands-on experience with clients, she is a speaker to civic groups, businesses, churches, and professional organizations. Julie is also a consultant for those in need of advice in the midst of crisis. She has written a monthly column "Ask The Estate Lady®" and taught college courses on "Identifying valuables in your home and attic." Julie resides in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and daughter.

The Boomer Burden

Author Julie Hall states, "The Boomer Burden offers trustworthy council for one of life's most overwhelming challenges-the infirmity and death of a boomer's parents. Grueling as that is, they are then faced with the daunting task of dividing the estate contents and finally clearing out the family home, totally unprepared for the battles ahead. The Boomer Burden will lead the reader through heart wrenching and heartwarming scenarios that will truly touch their hearts. It offers support and guidance during these times and was specifically written to instill hope and peace where there is little or none. It will assist the reader from beginning to end; what to do, what not to do, and how to do it all in the most appropriate manner. Taking a client from a place of confusion and worry and bringing them back to a place of peace and comfort is the goal of this book."

Real Scenarios

1. The Crime Scene - Elderly female client with advanced Alzheimer's (husband in back bedroom dying of Parkinson's) is completely taken advantage of when so-called friends and neighbors come into her home and buy her valuable heirlooms for $1, $5, $10. They knew better, but she didn't. These items were worth in the thousands $$$ and her children were nowhere to be found. They would never see their inherited heirlooms again. (MUST READ story on page 2.)

2. Diane's widowed father is found wandering in the middle of a winter night in his pajamas and no shoes and manages to get into a neighbor's home. The neighbor thinks it's a burglar, but recognized the elderly gentleman and offers him a blanket and sofa to sleep on while they contact the police who contact Diane. Other sibling in denial. Time for professional assistance. (story on page 14)

3. Two siblings inherit millions each and viciously fight over the old Tupperware. I get hit in the head with a flying kettle in the process. (I don't think this story is in the book)

4. The Civil War Gun - (great story) Elderly dad asks me in the middle of my speech how to handle his problem. Two sons, one Civil War firearm passed down for generations. Both sons are already fighting over it. Who do I give it to, or should I just let them fight over it? (Story on page 83)

5. When relatives do bad things (story page 68) Daughter holds vigil by dad's beside 24 hours a day until his death, not even letting other siblings in very often. Everyone thought it was because she was so close to him. The real reason she stayed round the clock was to gather possessions in the home she wanted for herself in the basement. When dad died and the coroner came to the house, all other children were on the first floor comforting mom. Daughter was in the basement funneling things out to her car.

6. Siblings often change locks so other siblings cannot get into the house.

7. The Diamond Lady - Wealthy woman who is blind and has Alzheimer's keeps wearing her jewels worth a huge amount of $$$. The heirs ask to have the diamonds removed and replaced with CZ's. Before the request could be carried out, the jewelry was stolen from her person while she was napping from the caregiver. They even took a crock pot.

8. I rescued a pair of vases from a Good Will pile the executor said, "were ugly." Sold weeks later for $57,500 for one and $3,500 for the other. See attachment on that story.

Summary Points

1. This book was written for 78 million Boomers and 40 million over 65 years old.

2. It was written for every heir, executor, beneficiary and employee and anyone with older parents.

3. This massive issue is inevitable and this is the only guide in the world like it.

4. Boomers have no idea how to deal with this issue until it is a crisis situation and lands on their lap. This will guide them through it.

5. Boomers do not fully understand that much of what they perceive as mom and dad's junk actually have value. As a result, Boomers make hasty and poor decisions.

6. The number one question Boomer's ask me is, "How does one begin to dissolve a lifetime of accumulation? There is so much stuff here!" (GREAT STUFF HERE FOR RADIO AND TALK PROGRAMS)

7. This book is the perfect gift for children and parents to read together or for siblings to purchase for each other so everyone is on the same page.

8. It takes the reader from the point of recognizing early signs of our parents needing help all the way to after they pass away, offering guidance each step of the way.

9. NEXT TO INFIRMITY OR DEATH, THIS IS THE MOST STRESSFUL CHALLENGE A BOOMER WILL GO THROUGH WITH THEIR PARENTS, often left feeling upset, resentful and frustrated.

***10. The Boomer Burden will teach the reader how to:

a) Divide your parents' estate with peace of mind
b) Minimize fighting with siblings during the estate settlement process
c) Clear out the family home in 10 days or less
d) Identify potential items of value in the family home
e) have "that conversation" with your parents"
f) Prepare yourself and your children for the future

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judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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