Family Law

Hiring A Detective For Family Court Investigations

By J. Benjamin Stevens

The following Guest Post is from Christopher Halscheid: 

If you believe that your significant other is engaging in suspicious behavior, it might be time for you to consider hiring a private investigator. Selecting the right detective for your specific needs can be somewhat intimidating, specifically if there are legal ramifications. Often people feel overwhelmed and sometimes even guilty that they are considering hiring an investigator to watch their partner. You must remind yourself that all you are looking to do is learn the truth and there is nothing wrong with that. Let's take a look at some of the important factors to consider when choosing a private investigation agency.

The number one factor to look for is a licensed and insured company. The unfortunate truth is that this business is riddled with part-time detectives who are not properly qualified to handle sensitive investigations. Some part-time investigators are only looking to supplement their pensions and pick and choose when they are in the mood to handle a case. Other individuals are not licensed but are offering services and some who are licensed are not insured. It is highly recommended to retain an Investigative Specialist as opposed to your general 'all purpose PI'.

Due to the type of work associated with investigations it is critical that every piece of evidence, from the phone call to the surveillance, is kept confidential. Getting caught can completely ruin hours worth of work, or even worse it can cost you money in court. You must ensure that the company you choose has a track record of success, or you may potentially be wasting your money.

On the subject of money, it is important to figure in the total costs of the investigator's services. If you plan on using an investigator to prove cohabitation, regain child custody rights or reduce your alimony payments, you are looking at a much higher price than a simple cheating investigation. However, if you are price shopping and decide to go with the lowest rate, there is a good chance you are not going to get top notch service. It is a balancing act but you will generally get what you pay for - detectives that specialize in a single area will cost more but they also have a more refined skill set that could prove to be invaluable in the long-term.

Another terrific indicator of success is customer testimonials. Any respectable investigation agency will be pleased to share their client's comments on the service provided and outcome; however due to confidentiality companies are prohibited from providing identifying data. Do your homework and research the company that you are considering. Some companies have only been around for a couple years or less and the simply lack the experience and 'know-how' to efficiently and accurately document the facts without jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation.

If you are going through a difficult divorce or simply suspect that your spouse is cheating, take the time to choose the right company. In the end, you will be satisfied knowing that you will get the truth you deserve.

About The Author: Christopher Halscheid is the owner of Magnum Investigations, LLC. Magnum Investigations agency is the only licensed Private Investigator in NJ and PA who solely specializes in cheating/infidelity investigations, child custody investigations, and alimony investigations. This agency provides services to the private sector as well as law firms.

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on March 21, 2011 (boomark / email).