Private Investigators Can Help Your Divorce

This blog post has been written by Jane Smith, a content editor at TIO Square, a Private Investigation firm, with years of experience gathering investigative intelligence and forensic evidence to assist in litigation support.

Going through a divorce is a tough experience for any couple, and difficulties are compounded when children or other dependent relatives are involved. Regardless of the reason behind the breakdown of the marriage, it is usually the case that there are disagreements over the events that caused or contributed to the divorce, the procedure for actually obtaining the divorce, and the practicalities of separating assets and liabilities. While these occurrences would in any case present difficulties for a divorcing couple, they can be made worse by not having accurate information.

Fortunately, there are ways of addressing these challenges head on, meaning an equitable and appropriate settlement is within reach for divorcing couples no matter how bitter the initial proceedings. Private investigators (PIs) – also known as private detectives or inquiry agents in some areas – can be hired to set the record straight.

What does a Private Investigator do?

PIs are highly-trained individuals who seek out, verify, and analyze information on practically any topic using a range of specialist techniques, including surveillance, interrogation, fact-finding, and public records searches. Many Private Investigators are contracted by law firms, newspapers, and other groups with investigative needs, but individuals are also able to hire PIs for personal or business matters. Divorce is a common domain for PIs, and their clandestine and confidential nature is often one of the main attractions of hiring them.

For the most part, divorce involves personal matters – such as infidelity and deceit – but PIs are usually such well-rounded and skilled individuals that they can be instructed to investigate a whole range of matters, including complex financial and business issues that might be relevant to a divorce.

Some of their core activities in relation to divorces include:

Ascertaining Means for Child Support

Divorce brings out a side to many spouses that the other has never seen. Nowhere is this tendency more common than in relation to the making available of assets and financial information for child support.

Often, a deep distrust of the other spouse means that one will seek to hide or obscure the true value of assets, delay salary or bonus payments, and misrepresent income so as to lower any legally-mandated child support payment. Through surveillance or complex financial analysis, Private Investigators expertly locate the true figures involved in these situations. Their work can better ensure that reporting is fair and accurate, so that one spouse is not left with any undue financial burdens when it comes to supporting a child.

Investigating Suitability for Child Custody

It is not only the financial aspects of a child’s care that are at issue during divorce proceedings. More often than not, the events that lead up to the divorce indicate to one or both spouses that the other presents an issue for the child’s welfare. This is especially the case where alcohol/drug use is suspected, as the accused may not be available to care properly for the child.

These are very serious concerns that have implications not only for the divorce, but also for the individuals involved should any criminal activity be discovered. Again, PIs are able to find and, importantly, verify information about any such activities and relay that back to legal teams who are then positioned to put protective measures in place for the child, whether that be a complete denial or a restriction of parenting time, or a form of supervised parenting time.

Conducting Searches into Assets

Rarely is it the case that assets and liabilities are divided in such a way that neither spouse contends the split. Whether there are debates over mortgage contributions and car payments or business values and inheritances, PIs are able to uncover financial information from a range of sources. Using this information, lawyers are able to put together more accurate plans for the division of assets upon granting of the divorce, which ultimately means a more amicable settlement and lower legal fees.

PIs are especially useful in cases where one or both spouses suspect that assets are being hidden. It is, unfortunately, quite common for one or both spouses to try to shield their assets from the divorce proceedings so as not to lose them in any eventual settlements or awards.

Summary

With divorce rates on the increase in countries all over the globe, couples will continue to face a whole host of difficulties when choosing to end their marriage. The good news is that hiring a Private Investigator may assist in reducing the stress and turmoil caused by divorce, not least because it means that all parties – spouses and their legal teams – can enter into the proceedings with more accurate information. From the discovery of hidden assets to gathering evidence of infidelity, PIs bring to light difficult or unknown issues in a way that few other professionals can.

If you are considering hiring a Personal Investigator, it is always a good idea to discuss the logistics with your legal counsel. Your lawyer knows the law and can provide legal advice on how a Personal Investigator can impact your legal proceedings.

Disclaimer: The content provided in the blog posts of Jones Divorce & Family Law is general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice tailored to your specific situation. All articles are current as of their original publication date.