A child custody investigation is an objective observation of a child’s well-being and treatment. These investigations are commonly part of a divorce, separation, or custody case. Any typical investigation involves assessing the treatment of a child by his or her parents. In many cases, the conclusion of the investigation is then reported to the court and used in custody proceedings. When going through a divorce, our child custody investigations will provide reliable evidence without any bias. However, it is important to note that a private investigator is not typically licensed to provide legal advice. This means it is important to consult with an attorney if you have questions about a child custody case.
Reasons To Choose a PI For Child Custody Investigations
There are a variety of reasons why a parent may choose to hire a private investigator in a child custody case. Some common reasons include:
Gathering Evidence
A private investigator can help gather evidence in order to support a parent's case for custody. Surveillance is commonly used to gather information about the other parent's activities. Another common way to gather evidence is to collect documents or records that are relevant to the case.
Investigation of Other Parents
A private investigator can conduct a background check or other investigation of the other parent in order to gather valuable information that may be relevant to the custody case. Common areas of investigation include any criminal history, substance abuse issues, or harmful behaviors.
Provide Expert Testimony
An experienced PI can provide expert testimony in court due to experience in conducting custody investigations. This testimony can go a long way in a case over a child.
Help with Co-Parenting Issues
A good private investigator can help with issues related to co-parenting, which includes helping to enforce a parenting plan or by conducting surveillance to make sure that the other parent is complying to the given terms in a custody agreement.
Do You Need a Child Custody Investigator?
Child custody investigations are not always necessary, but here are some reasons why you might need an investigator.
- Concern over child's safety: If you believe your spouse is unfit to care for your child for any reason, then a PI can potentially prove your allegations with objective, legal evidence. When you choose us, we will work with you to make sure we are keeping your child away from an abusive situation.
- Required by law: Sometimes there is a requirement by law that an investigation conducts this type of investigation.
- You have been falsely accused of abuse or neglect: Divorce cases can get heated and this is where one parent may falsely accuse another about being neglectful or abusive in order to win the case. So a child custody investigation can get to the bottom of the situation and exonerate you of all wrongdoing.
- Peace of mind: An investigator can legally look into the backgrounds, habits and parenting styles in order to prove or disprove their overall ability to meet your child's needs. If the evidence is reliable, it can stand up in court and give you peace of mind knowing your child is safe.
How Does a Child Custody Investigation Work?
Of course, all of this depends on the specific case, but a child custody investigator will use surveillance in order to determine how a parent or guardian ultimately treats their child. In general, an investigator will legally document any abuse or neglect they witness with photos, videos, and audio recordings. A common tactic for information is questioning witnesses, like family members, as well as running background checks.
When properly investigating a parent, an PI will look for certain red flags, such as alcohol abuse, criminal activity, reckless driving, gambling, drug abuse and any other type of activity that may negatively impact the child. These investigations will also aim to ensure that the parent is providing a safe, clean living space for the child, healthy food, emotional support, and any other necessities that a child requires. And oftentimes, these investigations occur without the child knowing, so there is less stress placed on the life of the child.
Contact Us Today
For more information about our private investigation services, please reach out to us today. The number for our office is 631-351-6473. When you call, we can go over your situation and come up with a plan of action. Check out all of our investigative services, which can help you resolve the issue quickly.