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“I work closely with parties to craft an individualized approach to each case, depending on the family’s particular circumstances, situation, and needs. Every family law case is different, and no single approach is appropriate. I seek creative solutions to difficult family law problems, looking for the parties and their children. Family law cases involve the most important parts of our lives – our children, our income, and all the property we own.“
Michael Louden brings twenty-seven years of family law litigation experience to his work as a family law mediator and arbitrator. In addition to working as a litigator since 1995, Michael has served as a guardian ad litem and court appointed special advocate for children, representing the interests of children in contested custody cases.
Michael has been a central figure in the King County Bar Association’s Family Law Section. He was chair of the section in 1999, and chaired the section’s legislative committee for over 15 years. Michael regularly presents at CLE’s for other family law attorneys. He serves as a mentor for new attorneys through the King County Bar Association Family Law Mentor Program.
Michael has handled nearly every type of family law case, including dissolution of marriage, parentage, establishment of parenting plans and child support, non-marital relationships, restraining orders (26.50, 26.09, 26.26, 10.14), enforcement and contempt, modifications, relocation of children, interstate issues (UCCJEA and UIFSA), and appeals. Financial issues include maintenance, child support, property division, modifications, QDRO’s, asset valuation issues, small businesses, and real estate disputes. Interpersonal issues include substance abuse, mental health problems, family abuse and domestic violence, financial abuse and control, sexual abuse, and the family conflict that leads to court involvement. Michael has handled every stage of the case, from pre-filing strategy and consultation through trial, appeal, post-decree enforcement, and modification.
(Please note that if Mr. Louden has presided as a commissioner pro tem in your case, neither he nor any other attorney at Wechsler Becker, LLP can represent you.)
Michael’s practice is now focused on work as a family law neutral. Information about mediation can be found here. Information about arbitration can be found here.
Washington State Bar Association, 1994
University of Washington School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1994
Earlham College, Bachelor of Arts, 1990
Member, King County Bar Association, 1995 – present
Past Chair, King County Bar Association Family Law Section, officer 1999 – 2002, chair 2001 – 2002
Member, Washington State Bar Association Family Law Section, 1995 – present
Michael has presented on many topics at numerous local and statewide conferences and seminars, including:
“Developments in Third-Party Custody Law.” December 18, 2003
“What Goes Into Good GAL Reports.” February 23, 2005
“Defending the Role of GAL’s.” (Discussion Panel) March 18, 2005
“Cross-Examination of GAL’s.” October 25, 2006
“KCBA Family Law Section Family Law Legislative Update.” Annually, since 1998
“SB 5470 and Changes in Family Law.” September 7, 2007
“Alienation as a Sign of High Conflict.” 2011
“Minimizing High Conflict and Alienation in Divorce.” 2011
“Ethics in Financial Divorce Settlements.” 2011
“Preparing Clients for GAL Interviews.” 2011
“Effective Use of Parenting Evaluations in Divorce.” 2011
“Child Support and Spousal Maintenance in Dissolution A-Z.” 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013
“Ethics in Family Law.” 2011 and 2013
“Oddities, Challenges, and Rarities in Family Law.” 2013
“Common Mistakes in Dividing Assets.” 2014
Editor, Family Law Section of the Washington Lawyer’s Practice Manual, 2000 – 2014
“Use of Qualified Domestic Relations Order as Post-Decree Mechanism for Enforcement of Child Support and Maintenance.” WSBA Family Law Newsletter (Spring, 1998)
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Saturdays
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