Divorce proceedings can be contentious, particularly when it comes to matters of money and children.

If facing a contentious divorce, working with a private investigator can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to such crucial issues as child custody, child/spousal support (alimony), and property distribution.

What is a Divorce Investigation?

Divorce investigations seek information regarding any untoward behavior or activities of your spouse, the knowledge of which might benefit your divorce negotiations or during divorce proceedings in a court of law.

Who Should Consider a Divorce Investigation?

Any party to a divorce may benefit from the services of a private investigator. Divorce investigations are  particularly helpful for those divorcing in a state with an “at-fault” option. An at-fault divorce is one in which one spouse sues for divorce based on stated grounds that the marriage was ruined by the actions of the other spouse. Common grounds for divorce in “at-fault” option states (depending on particular state laws) include:

• Adultery
• Sexual harassment
• Domestic violence
• Abandonment or desertion

Divorce investigations can provide the necessary evidentiary support for a party’s stated grounds in an at-fault divorce action.

The other 17 states and the District of Columbia are true “no fault” jurisdictions, meaning that a spouse’s conduct has no bearing on the divorce proceedings. For parties divorcing in a “no fault” jurisdiction, or those opting for a no-fault divorce in an at-fault option state, a divorce investigation may uncover information detrimental to one spouse that can be used to the advantage of the other spouse during negotiations regarding support, property distribution, and/or child custody issues.

Starting a Divorce Investigation

Starting a divorce investigation with Trustify is simple and stress free. 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 cost estimates.

2. Consultation with a Private 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. Be prepared to to answer several important questions, including:

• What is the current status of your marriage? Are you currently separated? If so, for how long?
• Do you have any children with your spouse?
• Do you suspect that your spouse is cheating? If so, can you provide any details regarding their infidelity?
• Do you believe that your spouse is in possession of any hidden assets? If so, what are they?
• Have you or others been the victim of violence or harassment at the hands of your spouse?
• Have you filed for divorce? If not, when do you intend to do so?

3. Investigation in Progress: Methods typically employed by investigators in divorce investigation cases include:

• Asset and property searches and inventory.
• Physical surveillance of the subject spouse.
• Cohabitation investigation.
• Cheating investigation.
• Communication activity research, including internet/email/messaging activities.
• Covert pregnancy or drug testing.

4. Case Updates & Final Report: Trustify’s network of investigators will keep you apprised of all developments in real-time. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, a full report will be provided along with any court-admissible evidence.  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

At no time during the course of the investigation will an investigator break the law or violate ethical standards. For example, an investigator will never attempt to access legally protected records in pursuit of information. However, investigators will use every legal means necessary to find useful information for a client.