Child custody battles can be difficult, and the judge can make a ruling based on razor-thin evidence. Hence, if you are in the midst of a custody battle, you may want to get help from a private investigator. The private investigator will unearth information to advance your argument in court.

This guide discusses what you should know about working with a private investigator for child custody.

Types of Investigations

Divorce often results in messy custody battles, and both parties might make many claims of abuse and neglect. If you don’t have evidence to support your claims or counter your ex-spouse’s accusations, you will lose custody. The best strategy is to hire a professional to get the appropriate information in time. That way, you ensure that you protect your child’s best interests.

The private investigator will use the following strategies to gather evidence.

Conduct Surveillance

Surveillance is one of the best ways to gather evidence during a child custody case investigation. The activity involves keeping an eye on the child or other parent in a natural setting. The private investigator can discreetly follow the other parent and record all their actions and whereabouts during the day.

Surveillance might be necessary if you think the other parent is doing something wrong. For example, you may have heard that the other parent mistreats your child. If you can get evidence of the mistreatment, you will easily win sole custody. This evidence will come to light if the private investigator conducts around-the-clock surveillance of the child’s other parent or guardian.

Monitor Social Media

Social media investigations about your child’s life or the other parent can come in handy. In addition, the private investigator can look at the social media profiles of the cousins, partners, grandparents, and anybody who interacts with the other parent on social media. The private investigator will then document the evidence and present it in court.

Interview Witnesses

If you can’t interact with witnesses, you can outsource this job to a private investigator. The witness evidence can help sway the court’s decision, especially if the witnesses are trustworthy. You can also use witness evidence to defend your reputation or credibility.

For example, your ex-spouse may accuse you of being violent or having a history of drug abuse. You can hire a private investigator to interview your friends and relatives and get information to disprove this claim.

Type of Cases

Every child custody case is unique, but all cases can be classified into specific categories. The private investigator will help find information for each case at hand. Here are some types of cases you can get help with:

• Custody dispute. The investigator collects evidence that is admissible in court. Usually, the evidence helps to disapprove accusations from the other parent. This will help you gain or retain custody of your child.
• Custody agreement violation. If you think the other parent has violated the custody agreement, you need evidence to change the custody agreement terms. For example, a private investigator can help prove that the other parent doesn’t pick up or drop off the child at school at the required time.
• Abuse and neglect. These are serious accusations that require immediate intervention. The private investigator will get the evidence to help protect your child.
• Proof of cohabitation. The custody terms may prohibit the other parent from cohabiting with someone while taking care of the child. If you have proof of cohabitation, you can use that evidence to change the custody agreement in your favor.

Some private investigators even help to prepare the evidence in a way that can help you win the case.

Most parents want to spend as much time as possible with their children. Since the court can separate you from your child, you need evidence to win the case. J.P. Investigative Group, Inc., can help you get the evidence you need to advance your cause. Contact us for more information.