Often it is possible to reach agreement in respect of your children such as where they will live, what time should be spent with each parent and the level of child maintenance which should be paid. Court orders are not generally necessary to reflect agreements that have been reached, but can be useful for certainty and can be obtained by consent. A mutual agreement has the best prospects of success and will cause the least disruption to the children. The mediation process can help to reach that agreement. Keeping the lines of communication open with the other parent and involving them in any decision-making process can often lead to an agreement that suits all concerned.