From his experience, Joseph Cowles recounts how legal custody of a child is an inflammatory concept that can break families apart beyond repair. He learned that the zero-sum game of custody disputes awards all the major decision-making responsibilities for a child to one parent while legally disenfranchising the other. In addition, he found that parenting time with a child is typically skewed toward the entitled sole-custodial parent.

This book tells Cowles' story and chronicles the steps he took to pave a better legal path for families facing separation. He proposes a solution that considers the best interests and welfare of children, offers equal opportunity to parents, and assists families in their transition into the next phase of their lives by preserving family balance and integrity. Furthermore, Cowles describes his quest to implement his alternative solution with the state of Oregon.

Learn about Cowles' firsthand experience of enduring the harmful effects of current custody laws and about his continued quest to legally implement a better way for families to navigate separation than the current inflammatory custody laws, which promote litigation and destroy families.