I’m Getting a Divorce – Should I Hire a Private Investigator?

The unfortunate truth of the matter is that many relationships go through rocky patches and some will end in divorce. Statistics Canada has shared that approximately 38% of marriages will end in divorce. So while you may be going through troubling times while you are separating from your partner, it is important to know that you are not alone. And while you may be very frustrated with the legalities that accompany filing for divorce, hiring a private investigator may give you the peace of mind you need.

One of a private investigator’s many functions is providing assistance in family law cases, including divorce cases. A PI can collect evidence of adultery or other kinds of marital misconduct, which can be important if trying to prove that one party was solely responsible for the demise of the marriage. If your divorce lands you in court disputing your assets, a PI can be helpful in obtaining evidence that can be used in these proceedings, whether it’s for locating assets (if your spouse is trying to conceal them), protecting your own assets or obtaining those of your partner. In cases where alimony may be owed, your spouse may try to conceal his or her earnings to make them look lower by delaying bonuses or working fewer hours; a private investigator can help unravel and provide evidence of these schemes. If children are involved, a private investigator can act as a liaison between the parents and can collect evidence to prove that one parent is more suitable for custody than the other.

A private investigator has many techniques at their disposal to build your case in any of these scenarios, including surveillance and research. A PI can dedicate their time to chasing down facts, uncovering lies and may even present information that will make you and your partner think again about giving up on your marriage. Specifically, a private investigator may scour financial records to locate hidden assets, provide evidence of drinking or drugs in a custody dispute and can conduct surveillance to identify when and where their client can catch their cheating spouse in the act.

While it may be tempting to recruit your friends and family to do this kind of investigating for you, there are risks associated with wiretapping (illegal), trespassing and harassment laws which the average person may not understand and may violate the rules of. Whereas a well-meaning friend or relative may make the situation worse, a private investigator possesses knowledge in all of these areas and would be careful to avoid making mistakes. If you find yourself going through any of these problems as stated above, consider hiring a private investigator to take the necessary steps to make life a little easier on you.