Here’s What You’ll Need to Gather Evidence for Your Divorce
Divorces can be highly emotional and stressful. Many say it is the hardest thing they have ever gone through. As hard as it may be, collecting as much evidence as possible to bolster your case is essential. But you do not need to do this alone. We work with individuals and family law attorneys to relieve the workload they have for building a case. In our experience, this is the evidence we recommend you gather.
Gather Text and Call Records
This is a step the client must do. You can take screenshots of old messages and calls. If you need previous messages, you can contact your phone carrier company and request messages from a certain point in time. Document anything you can through recording calls or conversations. An investigator can help with this if needed.
But before you record any phone calls, be aware of your state’s recording consent laws. For example, Georgia is a one party consent state. This means you do not need consent to record your phone calls. So this means you are able to record a person or your calls without the other person’s consent.
Screenshots of Social Media Posts
People post almost everything online, from political opinions to what they had for breakfast. However, some may have slip-ups that can turn into evidence. For example, if a spouse continuously posts pictures of going on vacation versus going to a child’s recital, this can work in your favor when it comes to child custody.
Additionally, if your spouse has posted harmful information or rants about you online, these can work in your favor. Take screenshots or print them out for your attorney. If you are unsure what could be useful for a case, a private investigator can gather social media intelligence for you.
Photographs and Other Fact-Based Evidence of Infidelity
Hearsay is not evidence. You need hard proof that your spouse had an affair. This oftentimes is the hardest to prove, but is very important. If you need help with gathering evidence or you are unsure of infidelity, an investigator can conduct surveillance services and gather any fact-based evidence that can bolster your case. Attorneys often hire us to collect this evidence to have the burden of proof to give their clients the best chance of winning their case or gaining custody of their child.
Photographs and Other Fact-Based Evidence of Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence is a terrible thing for a person to go through, and our hearts go out to the victims. To build a strong divorce case, have as much photographic evidence of wounds, injuries, and destruction of property. Recordings proving harassment or abuse can also help. Again, be sure to know your state’s recording consent laws. Have any documentation of going to the hospital or the police records to reinforce your case.
Have Financial Records Together
Gather W2’s, tax returns, pay stubs, retirement statements and credit card statements. Your attorney will need these records to find any suspicious activity such as an affair or hiding assets and to also review your financials. Your financial records are an important component to reaching a divorce settlement, so be sure to collect whatever you can.
[RELATED: Reasons to Conduct an Asset Search Investigation]
Need Help Building Your Divorce Case? Our Investigators Can Help
We work with divorce attorneys and individuals to build a strong, compelling case. Our team can help gather the evidence and information you need for your divorce case. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call CGA Solutions today. We are licensed in Georgia and South Carolina.
