Domestic Family Investigations

In the case of child custody, an investigation into the nature of the affair may have an effect on the unfaithful spouse’s determination of custody or visitation rights after separation. If you suspect that your spouse is engaged in an extramarital affair, it is important for the child’s interests and safety to investigate who that person is and their background. An investigation may not reveal anything, but there may be a chance that this person has a criminal record or history of domestic violence and/or drug use.

These are serious and considerable factors that will affect child’s rights.

Third, in the case of property, an investigation into an extramarital affair may reveal the concealment or unlawful ‘gifting’ of marital property to a third party. When dealing with property issues, it is important to remember that each spouse has a duty to the marriage, or “community,” to safeguard each other’s property. This is why there are automatic restraining orders that go into effect as soon as a petition for divorce is filed. If you suspect that your spouse may be passing community property to their extramarital partner, a private investigator will assist in proving these actions, aiding your case for recovery.

All of our investigations are always confidential. Our findings and documentation are provided to pertinent legal parties only, and only at the time of legal discovery or proceedings.

Too often, a husband or wife who suspects that information or activities are being concealed by their spouse will hire a private investigator directly. This is a mistake.

There are rules regarding confidentiality and privilege in California that are not generally established between a private investigator and the client. However, when an investigator is hired by an attorney on behalf of a client, the rules governing attorney-client confidentiality are extended to the private investigator. This means that any materials, documentation, and evidence produced by the investigator in preparation for trial may be protected by being discovered by the opposing side.

This is commonly referred to as “attorney work product.” Furthermore, as was mentioned above, a private investigator should be directed by an attorney. This ensures that evidence is gathered and documented properly and in compliance with California evidence laws. The attorney is then able to review the information that is collected and determine the best course of action for moving forward with the client.

A surveillance investigator gathers information about a person, or subject, at the center of an investigation. Surveillance investigators may work as a company employee or contractor and often use wiretaps, concealed cameras, and other surveillance tools to complete investigations.

Due diligence background investigations for many needs to include mergers, acquisitions, investments, and in litigation. If you are unsure how Valdes Investigation Group can help, give us a call.

As mentioned above, a private investigator may assist with collecting vital information that affects the child support, custody, or visitation rights of the parents. Again, in the case of one spouse who has a new boyfriend or girlfriend, the investigation may reveal information about that partner’s history or criminal record that could help protect the best interests of the child. Beyond the issue of investigating new partners, private investigators may also assist in child support and custody matters in the following ways:

For example, suppose that a wife a strong suspicion that her husband tends to drink and drive while the children are passengers in the car. An investigator can be hired to follow the father to a bar, observe the father drink several alcoholic beverages and then pick the children up from school while under the influence. An investigator would document this behavior with notes and audio/visual equipment and allow the mother to present this evidence in court to demonstrate the danger to children’s safety and well-being.

Not every case may have examples of this extreme child endangerment. Smaller issues, such as, allowing the children to ride without a seat belt is evidence of reckless behavior that may affect custody rights.