Interviewed by: TL Rotkiewicz
Photo by: Michael Taylor

Jacqueline M. Reardon is an attorney who specializes in probate, elder law, conservatorships, estate planning, and special needs planning. She has been in business for over twenty years, and considers herself very fortunate that she can mix her passion of helping others with earning a living for herself. Jackie is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Professional Member of PLAN of Connecticut, and the Windsor Chamber of Commerce.

Jackie discovered law from a love of reading crime novels, and by watching TV programs and films dealing with attorneys. She graduated with an MA from Stonehill College in North Easton, (BA, magna cum laude in English and an MA from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, (JD, cum laude.) Her first thought when getting into law school was to become a criminal attorney. She loved her classes, but when it came time to practice, she decided to go a different route. Her mentor, Brian Griffin (former Windsor mayor, and probate judge) suggested she get involved with those in need. She says, “The probate courts are nice because they’re dealing with issues that are so personal and people can be upset whether they’re having to ask for someone to manage their parents affairs, arguing about a will that’s unfortunate. When parents or siblings who are trying to get help with somebody who has a mental illness, it’s hard for the family to serve in the role as a guardian or conservator. They’re trying to be supportive. They’re also trying to either push the person to treatment or manage their funds. It may cause tension. Probate judges can be so understanding.”

The reason she practices in town speaks for itself. Windsor Social Services is very good. There are many resources within town to assist with varying needs. There is a large community for those who are 55 and up who can get help. Family assistance as well as a network of people work to get a client what they need. She is wary that long-term health services don’t pay for all of the care. That’s when the probate courts are necessary. As she states from a hard lesson learned, “A disability can happen to anybody any time. It can happen at any age. You want to have a balance in your life because of that. Take time to enjoy life when you can.”

For an older generation, things can get more hectic throughout the ages as she notes of the “Sandwich Generation” – People who have elderly parents, but who are still raising children. It creates challengers for that generation especially if they develop their own health issues. “It’s a field that has changed in the years that I have been practicing. And again, I’m seeing there’s a population that is getting older.

The baby boomers are getting older and so now that generation is trying to do planning for themselves or trying to assist themselves to the needs they have.”

Jackie is a life-long Windsor resident along with her mother and brother. She has relatives in Boston and Georgia. Her hobbies include books, walking (she loves to walk around the center of town), and traveling (her dream is to see all fifty states.) Being a Windsor resident, she’s very excited of the progress in town, including the reopening of the Plaza movie theater complex/restaurant and upcoming commuter railroad.

Words that describe Jackie: Compassion. Sensitivity. Support