- Legal EditorHenry Dahut, J.D.
Henry Dahut, J.D.
Attorney - Legal Publisher - Educator
Henry Dahut is a licensed California trial attorney. Over the course of his 30-plus years practicing law, Henry has represented and counseled countless clients in legal trouble.
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Divorce can be a contentious and adversarial process. A spouse may start concealing financial information and assets if the spouse anticipates a divorce.
Private Investigators Retained In Divorce Matters
Private investigators are retained in divorce cases for several reasons, including:
- Discovering Evidence of Adultery or Misconduct
- Performing Asset Searches On Spouse
- Locating Nondisclosed Income Sources In Child Support Cases
- Conducting Surveillance On an Allegedly Abusive or Dangerous Parent in Child Custody Disputes
A Private Investigator is someone who has been retained to investigate, observe and report on a specific situation for a client. Many Private Investigators are retained by spouses who suspect infidelity.
Evidence that a Private Investigator provides may be admissible in court if it has been obtained legally and qualifies as relevant and admissible evidence by a court of law.
Private Investigators are not authorized to enforce the law. Still, they are frequently used by many different types of organizations. They must be licensed and registered with the state where they perform their services.
Unique Skills And Qualifications
Private Investigators have developed unique skills and have law enforcement credentials. Many experienced Private Investigators also work with criminal defense attorneys and the insurance industry, where they are asked to investigate suspicious accident and injury claims.
Cost To Retain A Private Investigator
The cost to retain a Private Investigator varies based on factors such as the kind of services you want to be performed and the time estimated to complete the assignment.
Some investigators work on a flat fee, while others charge by the hour depending on the type of investigation required.
The hourly rate usually depends on the reputation and quality of the Investigator. You can expect a wide range of rates ranging from $75 to $250 per hour or more, plus travel expenses and costs of data retrieval services.
Retaining A Private Investigator
Questions To Ask:
- Are you properly licensed as a private investigator in this state?
- Do you carry errors and omissions insurance?
- Can you provide me with three references?
- Do you have law enforcement training?
- What are your particular areas of expertise?
- May I have a copy of your PI license for my records?
