Have a Child Custody Case? Consider Hiring a Private Investigator
Family court is undoubtedly stressful – especially when it comes to a judge determining what’s the best interest for the children. For the best outcome in a child custody case, evidence is crucial. Hearsay and emotionally charged accusations, although common in family court, is not the best strategy. For reputable, convincing evidence that can be used in court, you may want to consider hiring a private investigator for your case.
[RELATED: CGA Solutions Child Custody Investigation Services]
What is a Child Custody Investigation?
The point of a child custody investigation is to observe the child’s well-being and treatment, commonly as part of a divorce or custody case. You want what is best for the child and ensure they will be in the best care and living situation.
Generally, an investigation involves the investigator observing the treatment of and interaction with children by their parents. The findings of this report are typically given to the lawyer for one of the litigants. The report can be provided to the court and potentially used in custody evaluations. When the parents are going through a divorce, a child custody investigation is used to provide reliable and unbiased evidence to the courts.
The main reasons a private investigator is hired regarding a child custody case, include but are not limited to:
- Prove neglect or harmful behavior
- Visitation rights
- Stability and lifestyle
- Criminal activity
- Domestic violence
- Sexual abuse
- Barred associates
Gather Firsthand Information for Your Child Custody Case
Surveillance
Types of surveillance and how thorough it is depends on the specific case. A child custody investigator will use a variety of types of surveillance to determine how the child is treated by their parent or guardian. The investigator will legally document the treatment of the child and the actions of the parent or guardian through photos, videos, and witness interviews.
These can be presented in court to show evidence of abuse and neglect towards the child or criminal and reckless activity of the parent or guardian to the court as needed. Some elements that a private investigator can include in their surveillance includes reckless driving, criminal activity, gambling, drug abuse, or other activities that negatively impact the children.
Also, the investigator can look for evidence of the parent or guardian not providing a safe and hygienic living space, food, or other necessities for the child’s wellbeing.
Social Media Intelligence
Investigators can perform social media investigations on those actively involved in the child’s life. This includes the parents, grandparents, partners, cousins, or anyone else who will be interacting with the child if the person is awarded custody. This can help provide viable evidence of the type of people and the beliefs that the child would be around.
Interview Witnesses and Gather Testimonials
A private investigator is in a position where they can interact with witnesses on the behalf of the client to determine how the child is being treated while in custody of t
he parent. Witness statements are regarded as high-value evidence and can have a substantial impact on the case.
Witness statements can also be helpful for your defense if there is an attack on your credibility or reputation. For example, if an ex-spouse is alleging that the client is an addict with a history of abuse and has fallen back in the lifestyle, an investigator will go collect witness testimonies of friends, families, and potentially sponsors to see if that is true or just an attack of their character.
Conduct Background Investigations on Other Involved Parties
When performing a custody investigation, a private investigator will normally conduct background checks on not just the two involved in the custody battle, but also the parties most commonly involved in their lives. This includes, but is not limited to, grandparents, partners, cousins, friends, employers, and more.
These background checks are done to make sure that anyone involved in the child’s life is suitable for the child’s needs and can provide a safe environment.
Your PI Can Also Testify in Court of Their Accounts
Private Investigators are considered incredibly valuable witnesses in court due to the fact that they are an unbiased party with the child’s best interest in mind. They are able to present evidence and facts about all parties involved that generally would not be discovered.
Parties involved in a court case will normally present their best selves while in court, this is why it is useful to have a private investigator as a witness because they can give evidence of these parties intentions and what actually goes on in their daily lives.
Child Custody Cases a Private Investigator Can Help with
Custody violation
If you believe that the other parent or guardian is violating the terms of the custody agreement, it will require evidence to prove that in court. A private investigator can get evidence of violations such as not picking up or dropping off the child at correct times, having unsavory and dangerous associates around the child, or simply failing to take the child during agreed-upon court appointed appointments.
Abuse/Neglect
Abuse and neglect of a child is an incredibly serious situation and should be dealt with as swiftly as possible. A private investigator can help gather evidence of the situation to help keep your child safe and remove them from that dangerous situation.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation can affect custody situations and child support payments. If you believe your child’s other parent or guardian is cohabitating with someone and is not reporting it a private investigator can help discover and provide evidence of this.
CGA Solutions Provides Child Custody Investigations Throughout Georgia and South Carolina
If you or a loved one is concerned about the child’s safety, wants peace of mine, has been falsely accused of abuse or neglect, or it is required by law, reach out to CGA solutions for an initial consultation on what our child custody investigations can do for you.
