The Essential Guide to Hiring a Private Detective for Effective Private Investigations

Are you in the Charlotte, NC, or Columbia, SC, area and going through marital difficulties? Are you seeking assistance but don’t know where to turn? You may want to consider hiring a private investigator. 

What can private investigators do? Private investigators are invaluable when resolving marriage issues that can arise over time. They offer discreet services to help uncover important information necessary for couples dealing with difficult times. 

In this article, we'll explore how a trained professional private investigator can help couples work through their conflicts for a happier future together. Whether you’re part of the marriage or an attorney gathering evidence, here's how we can help.

What is a Private Investigator?

Many people are familiar with private investigators from television and movies, but what does a private investigator do? Private investigators investigate individuals or matters discreetly. You can hire a PI as an individual. Or you can hire one as a business.

A private investigator can be an invaluable resource for family law cases like divorce. They can provide evidence that supports your case during the proceedings. This could include:

• Conducting surveillance for infidelity cases
• Uncovering financial information about your spouse or client
• Tracking and reporting unreported assets

In criminal cases, PIs can assist with gathering information that isn’t available through other resources. For example, they can conduct background checks on suspects or witnesses and help track down hard-to-find evidence.

Additionally, when companies (like law firms) need PI services, they often turn to private investigators to locate fraud or theft cases and help them collect debts or recover assets. Investigators have expertise in performing thorough investigations, making them an ideal choice.

Overall, private investigators are a valuable asset in helping individuals and businesses get access to the information they need without going through lengthy legal processes. Their investigative skills and knowledge of laws make them standout professionals when solving complicated problems.

What Can Private Investigators Do?

If you’re considering hiring a PI for a divorce case, it’s important to understand what they can and cannot do. 

Ultimately, what they can do comes from each investigator’s experience and service offerings. However, here are four common things you can enjoy when looking for a “PI near me.”

Evidence of Adultery

A private investigator can be invaluable for obtaining evidence of adultery in divorce proceedings. They specialize in conducting surveillance and investigations. They do so discreetly. This means they can use their expertise to obtain proof that a spouse has been unfaithful without the other party knowing.

The PI will surveil the individual, usually at home or in the workplace. They'll gather photographic or video evidence if needed. They might follow them to any locations they visit and document meetings with others. 

Depending on the circumstances, the PI may look into financial or phone records as part of the investigation.

Evidence provided by a PI can give couples an advantage during divorce proceedings. This allows both parties to ensure the court hears their side of the story. Can’t you do this yourself? It might be illegal in some states, so entrusting this to a professional is best.

Locating Assets

Regarding divorce proceedings, one of the biggest issues is ensuring both parties get a fair and equitable share of the assets. 

Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for spouses to attempt to hide or shield assets from the court by transferring them to friends and family or hiding them in storage facilities. A private investigator can be invaluable in helping locate these hidden assets.

The PI will thoroughly investigate any suspicious activity, such as transfers made to friends or family members, that may indicate hidden assets. They can also access databases and other resources that may provide further evidence of hidden assets. 

Additionally, they can track properties sold under the table or moved to offshore accounts.

This type of evidence can be beneficial during divorce proceedings, as it helps ensure each spouse receives their rightful share of marital assets.

Child Custody

Parents may enlist the services of a PI if they have concerns about the activities that happen while their child is with the other parent. This might involve checking for possible drug or alcohol use and investigating whether abuse occurs.

The PI will usually conduct discreet surveillance to gather evidence and determine what happens during these visits. They may also serve as a liaison between the parent and individuals in the child's life, such as teachers or other family members who can provide helpful information.

Suppose they discover any evidence of wrongdoing during these investigations. In this case, this can impact determining what type of custody arrangements a judge decides for a child.

It can also influence decisions such as visitation rights or financial obligations of one or both parents. Access to reliable information provided by a professional private investigator can help families ensure their children are safe and cared for during a divorce.

Child Support Information

Do you suspect your spouse may be hiding income? Do you believe they may be trying to reduce their child support obligations? If so, a private investigator can help.

The PI will investigate and analyze any suspicious financial activity. This might include delayed bonuses or reduced working hours. They can also investigate whether a business is taking on additional debt to lower its value or if the money owed to the business is being withheld. 

Additionally, they are adept at uncovering any attempts by the receiving spouse to conceal sources of income, for example, by living with a romantic partner without reporting this information.

This work helps ensure each spouse fulfills their financial obligations within the marriage and provides families with peace of mind that their children are properly cared for financially.

Benefits of Professional Private Investigators

Understanding what private investigators can do is the first step. Next, it's helpful to understand why it pays to work with one.

For example, we get these questions a lot. Why not just gather the evidence yourself? Or, if you’re working with an attorney, why can’t the attorney gather this evidence?

Simply put, it’s not their specialty. It's not yours either. And it shouldn't be. You shouldn't have to gather sensitive evidence when going through a divorce. You have a million other things to consider.

Private investigators have years of experience and various methods for gathering support during a divorce. Here are a few of the main benefits of working with a professional investigator versus trying to gather all the evidence yourself.

Impartiality

PIs are impartial during divorce proceedings. This means they will approach all matters objectively regardless of who they work with or for. 

This impartiality can give both spouses peace of mind knowing that any evidence collected from investigations is without bias. They will provide an independent third-party view on critical matters such as child custody and financial disputes. This can help ensure fairer decisions in these areas. 

Ultimately, this helps bring closure to loose ends in a divorce quicker and more easily, allowing both parties to move on with their lives sooner rather than later.

Surveillance

Divorce proceedings can be emotionally charged. Having a private investigator around can provide great peace of mind. Their round-the-clock surveillance is a major benefit, as it helps you stay one step ahead during the process. 

Private investigators also stay on top of potential changes in the situation and offer valuable information, so you know what's always happening. This vigilance provides security and protection for both parties and can also help detect signs of fraud, which is becoming increasingly common. 

In short, private investigators offer invaluable insight into divorce proceedings and ensure your best interests are protected.

Expertise

Private investigators provide years of investigative expertise and know how to get the evidence you need legally and efficiently. They know what questions to ask, who to contact, and how to handle each situation best. This skill set can simplify the process.

Further, they are experienced in knowing what information is pertinent in a court of law and understand the complex legal system. Working with a private investigator during a divorce gives you access to their knowledge and experience, ultimately saving time, money, and grief in the long run.

Forensics

Access to digital forensics tools is one of the main benefits of working with a private investigator during a divorce. These sophisticated tools allow them to access data and information that could otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain, such as:

• Factual records of text messages
• Official emails
• Phone calls or phone records

These tools can uncover hidden assets and check the credibility of witnesses and other relevant parties. Furthermore, they can verify either party's allegations to get the story behind the divorce proceedings.

Background Checks

Finally, private investigators are specialized in performing background checks, which they can do using only legal means. These background checks are thorough and of the highest quality, allowing you to make decisions based on accurate and reliable facts.

Plus, it’s convenient. You can trust that your private investigator will take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. Whether you’re a grieving spouse or a divorce attorney, this saves you time, money, and hassle.

Can a PI Be Used in Divorce Court?

Yes, PIs are equipped to provide high-quality evidence that you can use in court. However, you can only use evidence obtained according to local laws. This is important for the information to use in court.

How can you ensure your PI is obtaining evidence lawfully? It’s best to do some research before selecting a PI. You’ll want one that operates both ethically and professionally. They must understand local laws. They must also adhere to industry standards and ethical practices.

Tips for Hiring a PI

Ready to hire a PI for your divorce proceedings? Whether you’re a spouse or lawyer, there are a few things to consider. 

Namely, you’ll want to ensure they use legal and ethical methods to get the necessary information. Therefore, it’s essential that you thoroughly check their track record and credentials before engaging with them.

You want to ensure they have a good reputation and an understanding of the law. This will ensure that any evidence they gather is valid in court and built on a strong foundation of trustworthiness.

Finally, inquire about the results they’ve obtained for other clients.

The Cost of a Private Investigator

Is a private investigator expensive? We wish we had a better answer. However, it depends. The cost of a private investigator can vary depending on the complexity of the job. 

Simple tasks like conducting a background check or verifying an address may be inexpensive. But if the case is more complex, like an investigation into infidelity, surveillance work, or asset searches, it will require more time and resources. The cost will reflect that.

The best way to get an estimate for PI services is to contact us so we can learn more about your case. We'll chat about your case and your needs. Then we'll give you an estimate for our services.

Hire a Private Investigator

What can private investigators do for you or your client? If you choose Barefoot Professional Investigations, we can provide premier private detective services. 

With a staff of experienced legal professionals, our agency has become one of the largest in the region. Our relentless attention to detail and expertise have earned us the respect and admiration of many top law firms in the Carolinas. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your case!