Child Custody

What Do Our Private Investigators Look for in a Child Custody Case?

Our team provides objective information to help courts understand a child’s environment and welfare when making custody decisions.

Child custody disputes are often emotionally challenging legal processes that significantly impact families. In these sensitive situations, our investigators can provide objective, third-party information to assist the court. Our involvement helps ensure that decisions regarding parental responsibilities are made with the child’s best interests in mind. Parenting time is also considered with the child’s needs as the primary consideration. This objective information can be crucial in navigating complex family law matters.

The Role of Our Investigators in Child Custody Cases

Our investigators are often engaged in child custody cases. We gather unbiased information. This information can support or refute claims made by either parent. We assess a child’s living situation impartially. We also evaluate each parent’s ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment. By collecting factual data, we help ensure that the court receives a comprehensive and objective picture of the circumstances.

Key Areas of Investigation for Child Custody Cases

Our investigators take deep dive into various specific areas to assess parental fitness and the child’s overall environment. We examine:

• Parental conduct is assessed for evidence of substance abuse, neglect, or criminal activity. Emotional instability or behaviors that negatively affect the child’s well-being are also evaluated.
• Living conditions need to be assessed. The home environment should be safe, clean, and suitable for children. It ensures that basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care are consistently met.
• The child’s well-being, observing school attendance, health, and general care provided by each parent.
• Co-parenting interactions, noting adherence to visitation schedules, communication patterns, and any attempts to disparage the other parent.
• Third-party influences can include new partners or other household members. It is important to determine if their presence poses any risk or instability to the child.

This comprehensive approach aims to uncover all relevant factors impacting the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Methods of Evidence Collection

Our investigators use various techniques to gather information in child custody cases, all while adhering to legal and ethical boundaries.

• Surveillance, involving physical observation and electronic monitoring of publicly available information, such as social media posts. Investigators may use high-resolution cameras to capture evidence of daily routines or concerning activities. It is illegal to intercept private electronic communications without consent or a court order. This is under federal and state wiretapping laws, such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. The legality of audio recording conversations varies by state. Some states require the consent of all parties. Others only require one party’s consent. Evidence obtained in violation of these laws is inadmissible in court.
• Background checks are conducted. Public records and criminal databases are accessed. Financial records are reviewed to uncover any history of criminal activity. This helps identify substance abuse or financial instability.
• Conduct interviews with relevant parties. These include neighbors, teachers, or friends. The goal is to gather firsthand accounts. Ensure these interviews are permissible and ethical.
• Social media and online activity monitoring, focusing on publicly available information, to reveal lifestyle choices or patterns of behavior.

All findings are meticulously documented and compiled into detailed reports, ensuring accuracy and reliability for legal proceedings.

Using Our Investigator Findings in Court

The information and evidence collected by our investigators can be presented in court. This serves as factual evidence in child custody proceedings. Our reports, photographs, videos, and testimony can support claims made by parents regarding their fitness. We can also challenge the child’s living situation. For instance, documented instances of neglect or substance abuse can significantly influence a judge’s decision about parental responsibility.

All evidence must be legally obtained. It must also adhere to rules of admissibility to be considered by the court. Evidence gathered through illegal methods, such as trespassing or unauthorized wiretapping, will be deemed inadmissible. The court relies on unbiased, factual information. This helps the court make informed decisions. These decisions align with the “best interests of the child” standard. This standard is the guiding principle in all custody determinations.