- "Often we see a couple who has separated or divorced and look with sadness at the ‘failure’ of their relationship. But if both people learned what they were meant to learn, then that relationship was a success."
- Marianne Williamson
"There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won’t anymore, and who always will. So don’t worry about people from your past, there’s a reason they didn’t make it to your future."- Adam Lindsay Gordon
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For information or consultation,
Alison can be reached at:
(858) 551-2608
or by email:
alison@lemonadedivorce.com Subscribe by Email
Featured Music
Music by Terry Radigan from her album "Breakdown of a Breakup", a collection of songs she wrote to get through the breakup of a 20-year relationship.
To purchase her songs or album, visit http://terryradigan.com/breakdown.cfm
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Notice
Unless otherwise noted, all articles and essays published on this website are copyrighted work of Alison Patton. To request permission to reprint or use these works for any purposes other than personal use, please contact alison@lemonadedivorce.com.
Testimonials
My favorite testimonial of all time:
(emailed to me by a lovely man in his forties who has never been married but saw my website)
“You almost make me want to get married just so I can go through a divorce gracefully with your guidance.”
Testimonials from former clients
“Thank you Alison for all of your clear and concise help with the entire process. For anyone I know going through divorce, I wouldn’t send them to anyone else. What you do for a living is difficult and you handle it with such care and I know anyone would be in good hands with you. Thank you for bringing such integrity and compassion with helping others in such a delicate situation. I’m so grateful for your easygoing approach, positivity in a challenging situation and loving touch. Even your final email to us when the case was finished continued to show how much you care.”
I consulted with Alison Patton several times during my divorce. I am from Germany and was unfamiliar with the American legal system. Alison helped me in several ways: She explained the law and legal terms I needed to know; she explained different ways I could handle my divorce.
I decided to try mediation because I did not want to fight and destroy our children’s sense of family, and Alison helped me make decisions throughout my mediation. Taking her workshop would have made the entire process much easier, but I was out of the country. I consulted with a few other lawyers and they also could describe the law, but they didn’t have compassion for my personal situation.
Divorce is a huge deal in your life, not just a legal thing, and Alison was the only attorney who talked with me in a personal way, with kindness and genuine concern. The practical advice and legal information she gave me was excellent and I was able to resolve my case through mediation.
Alison combines a fierce intellect with a sensitive heart to help people gain clarity
during one of the most difficult times in their life. I had a therapist and a lawyer on retainer throughout my divorce, but much of the best advice I received came from my consultations with Alison. She was able to address both my legal and emotional concerns and she helped me make decisions so I was ultimately able to get the outcome I wanted.
Divorce is a difficult time, Alison treated me with dignity and kept the process to a minimum of drama and fees! I felt I was in good hands and recommend her.
I participated in Alison Patton’s half-day divorce workshop several years ago, when she first started them. It was an intimate gathering of people, each person looking for answers and guidance at one of the most painful times in their life. Alison has a way of speaking that is informative, straightforward and calming at the same time. And she really listens. Sharing was difficult for me, but Alison was able to bring a sense of safety and openness to the gathering. Hearing other people’s experiences was very helpful, as well as the realization that we are all very similar when it comes to suffering.
I was profoundly impressed by Ms. Patton’s finely-tuned negotiation skills, and by the way that she used those skills to maximize her ability to negotiate on my behalf. She did a remarkable job of situating herself between 2 opposing parties, so that both parties felt that they came out ahead. Ms. Patton’s sensitivity towards each side was always of paramount importance as she navigated her way through our proceedings. One of the things that set her apart from other divorce attorneys was that her primary objective was to create an atmosphere of healing which would lead us on the path towards constructing a new relationship as co-parents of our son. All in all, she did an excellent job of creating an emotional, spiritual, and material bridge that I needed in order to elevate myself and move forward with my life.
When I first met Alison Patton, I had already had a number of unsatisfactory experiences with lawyers who didn’t listen, nor did they regard me or my personal information with much seriousness. Considering divorce is such a stressful time to begin with, the last thing I needed was a attorney I couldn’t depend on. Alison was like water in a barren desert–a relief on many dimensions. I remember my first meeting with her. Not only did Alison have a wonderfully warm disposition, I felt the burden of being alone lifted from me. I felt totally safe and she was the voice I wasn’t able to express. Alison has a strong, impeccable work ethic and was an amazing advocate for me. To top it off, Alison’s character is sincere and of the highest caliber. When things were difficult for me, Alison was there, making the effort, asking the questions, doing the fight, yet always maintaining kindness and compassion toward me. To this day, Alison Patton has a special place in my heart.
Testimonials from Family Lawyers, Mediators and Court Staff
Alison Patton instantly elicits respect from anyone lucky enough to work with her– clients, colleagues and the court. She is an impressively clear thinker and has always brought insight, intelligence, creativity and empathy into her field. Alison is dedicated to reaching resolutions that work for the whole family.
I had many contacts with Alison Patton in our respective roles as Family Court Mediator and Family Law Attorney. I always found her to be punctual, informed, ethical, and conciliatory.
She was a good negotiator, and always maintained her respect for others (both clients and opposing attorneys) and her sense of humor. Her competence and warmth were remarkable in an arena where such abilities can easily be lost. She was liked and respected by all the mediators, and by the judges.
As a court clerk at the San Francisco Superior Court. I have known Alison Patton for about 15 years, tracing back to when she first came to observe and learn as a young, new attorney. She always was a joy to work with. I frequently saw Alison make her appearances as an attorney in Family Court. She exhibited the wisdom of a veteran attorney. She was very gentle and respectful, but at the same time, had great command over the situation and handled it with expertise. Her clients seemed very pleased with her and Alison did not go to trial much. Her cases settled very quickly to everyone’s satisfaction. The Bench had confidence in her work and even the opposing party seemed to be pleased with the agreements they reached.
Alison Patton was the only associate I have ever had; I simply could never find anyone like her when she moved to Southern California. Her commitment and approach to family law mirrored mine perfectly, which gave me confidence to send cases her way. Her work is excellent, as is her work ethic. She has a rare ability to develop good relationships with clients and colleagues in an effort to work collaboratively toward amicable, reasonable, non-litigated resolution of conflict. Alison is also committed to serving her community and is recognized for her efforts to assist the court and to help pro bono clients who would otherwise have no access to legal representation.