The term ”domestic investigation” can refer to a wide range of home and family related investigative activities. Any issue related to a client’s spouse, immediate family, or other close relations is considered a domestic investigation.

What is a Domestic Investigation?

“Domestic investigation” is a term used to describe a variety of investigation types that concern issues important to clients and their unique domestic-related legal or other problems. These issues may involve personal, professional, financial, business, security and safety issues of all kinds, including:

• Bigamy
• Child negligence or abuse
• Child support enforcement and collection
• Cohabitation suspicions
• Divorce investigations
• Domestic violence
• Elder negligence or abuse
• Hidden asset and property concerns
• Identity theft
• Identity verification (including online dating, catfishing, etc.)
• Locating lost friends or relatives (missing persons)
• Marital infidelity (cheating spouse)
• Marital or child abandonment
• Paternity questions
• Personal threats, such as extortion or blackmail
• Prenuptial and premarital questions or concerns
• Slander and defamation
• Social media threats and issues (such as online defamation, cyber bullying, etc.)
• Spousal maintenance and alimony modification
• Stalking
• Substance abuse issues
• And many more.

The purpose of a domestic investigation is to collect information that proves or disproves a client’s suspicions and, when legal proceedings are involved, provides them with evidence that can be used in court to support their legal claims.

Who Are Domestic Investigations For?

The bulk of domestic investigations involve issues directly related to a client’s marriage or romantic relationship. However, domestic investigations are for anyone concerned for the safety and welfare of themselves, their families, or another important person in their lives. It is not uncommon, for example, for a client to start a domestic investigation to gather information or resolve a conflict related to a close personal friend. Domestic investigations not only concern circumstances dangerous to the client  and their family, but also dangers caused by family members.

If you believe someone close to you has become involved in activities harmful to themselves or others, Trustify may be able to help.

Starting a Domestic Investigation

Hiring a private investigator with Trustify is quick and simple. Every case is assigned a dedicated investigator and Case Manager to assist you every step of the way. Here’s how it works:

1. Request a Consultation: Submit your case online or by phone to schedule your consultation. We’ll ask for the details we need to get your case matched with an investigator and provide a cost estimate for your case.

2. Connect With Your Investigator: A licensed private investigator will contact you to talk to you about the purpose and goals of the investigation, and to collect any relevant information about your case. They’ll ask you questions like:

• Who is the subject or subjects of the investigation?
• What is the nature of the domestic problem or issue?
• Is this investigation related to any type of legal proceeding?
• Does your case involve issues of physical violence or threat of physical harm to you or others? If so, what is the nature of the violence or threat?
• Does your case involve suspicions of marital or domestic partner infidelity?
• Are you concerned for your or someone else’s immediate safety?
• Do you believe your issue may involve criminal conduct?
• Have you consulted with law enforcement?
• Do you have a deadline or timeline for completion of the investigation?

Your investigator may also ask you for any information you have gathered relevant to your situation.

3. Investigation In Progress: The nature of domestic investigations is extremely varied, so there are many techniques that your investigator might use. Potential methods include:

• Interviews with relevant people
• Surveillance
• Searches of social media and online dating sites
• Specialized database searches
• Background investigations

4. Case Updates and Final Report: Your investigator will keep you informed of any and all important developments as the investigation progresses. Once the investigation is complete, you will receive a written summary of all findings.  In addition, your private investigator may be available to testify on your behalf in court, if necessary and agreed-upon before the start of the investigation.

What Investigators Will Not Do

Private investigators are required to adhere to the law and to the ethics standards of their profession. Private investigators cannot trespass, hack into someone’s private accounts or devices, or harm anyone.