In cases such as divorce or child custody, probably the difference between failure and success lies on hiring a private investigator. What is a private investigator or a detective as commonly known to everybody? A private investigator is a professional at gathering data and information that are admissible in court. This professional will help you gather the necessary documents and witnesses as evidence that your spouse is in the wrong.
Instigating an investigation is not only useful where infidelity is concerned but also effective in child custody cases for visitation rights, discovering abuse, contempt cases, in case your spouse has hidden properties or money and determining the truth about assets, employment, and income.
Private investigators are very …show more content…
effective in discovering hidden assets because they have access to records and databases that a common person doesn't have. Also, a private investigator has a much quicker chance of finding it out sooner.
One of the most popular reasons for hiring a private investigator is when you are trying to uncover infidelity.
While you have your gut feeling and suspicions, a professional can act on that instinct to uncover the truth. Furthermore, the detective's discovery may just be critical in a battle for custody.
For concerns regarding possible abuse or neglect of your spouse towards your children, hiring an investigator may prove to be a necessity. If you think your spouse is an alcoholic or the living conditions aren't proper for your children, you would need hard evidence to support this claim in order to get an increased or sole custody and that would be extra challenging not to mention close to impossible, should you decide to secure it on your own.
How to hire a private investigator? First, you must be ready to accept the fact that hiring a detective will most likely put more strain on your divorce and is an added expense on your budget. Here are some important criteria to check:
1. Always check for a license. While this is necessary for most states, you should do a little research of your own. Try to ask to see a copy of the professional's
license.
2. There should be a contract. The contract should be specific in describing what the exact services you should expect them to undertake as well as their fees for such services.
3. Most private investigators charge at an hourly rate. Ask for an estimate of how many hours they need to devout for your case.
4. Ask for references. Many investigators will refer you to past clients for references. If they don't, you might want to reconsider hiring somebody else. Afterall an investigator with little to no real-life experience might not be the best solution for your case.
5. Ask if you could see their liability insurance and proof of bonding. You don't want to be liable if the detective damages anyone's property while on your case. If they do have insurance, try to look over their coverage to make sure it is satisfactory.
Work closely with your lawyer, as well. Your lawyer can advise the detective regarding evidence that would be beneficial to your case rather than having to spend money and time that will not prove anything. Be upfront with your private investigator. The key to your success and the success of your investigator is to be completely honest and give all the necessary details. For any concerns, make sure to bring it up to both your lawyer and private investigator.