Infidelity Uncovered

When Not to Hire a Private Investigator

2009-09-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

So here’s the skinny: People hire Private Investigators in child custody cases to get custody. Shocking, I know!

From Omaha, NE to Seattle, WA to Des Moines, IA to New York, NY and every town in between people are hiring PI’s to get a leg up on their former spouse in court. For some people this is a great plan; the opposing party is an unfit parent who will likely gain custody and screw up their kids lives if something is not done. For these clients having solid proof of their ex’s questionable activities will definitely help their chances of gaining custody and provide them with the opportunity to raise their children in a healthy and happy environment.

However, some people that hire a PI are chasing a pipe dream and are wasting time and money.

NOTE: The next section is a case study; feel free to skip to the end of the post if all you want is quick pointers.

The Case:

John Smith (obviously not his real name) calls SPI Detective Agency and needs an investigator ASAP. John’s girlfriend left him 3 months ago and took their infant child with her. Now John is hearing rumors that his ex-girlfriend is in a new relationship and that she is working in a bar on the weekends to earn extra cash but that’s ok because John has a plan.

John wants to document three activities:

1. That the ex is working in a bar for extra cash.
2. That the ex has a new boyfriend who should be supporting her.
3. That the girlfriend lives on a busy street and should not have the child living in that environment.

When asked why he wants to document these specific activities John’s answers all come down to money. John does not want to pay support and wants to prove the ex is able to support herself and her child by working in the bar. He wants to show that the ex is in a new relationship and that her new boyfriend should be supporting her and helping with the child and if neither of those work John wants custody so he does not have to pay support.

John Smith should not be hiring a Private Investigator.

The Problem:

John knows what he wants but he has no idea how to get it. John called with a plan of action but his plan is a pipe dream since what he wants to prove is not being presented in the proper context and John is not willing to listen to the guidance of an investigator who sees child custody situations every day.

John Smith will have to pay to support his child no matter his ex works. The new boyfriend will never be legally responsible for supporting John’s child and the court will never take custody away from a parent because the person resides on a busy street.

What John should be trying to prove:

1. The ex is working late hours and leaving the child with a baby sitter: an opportunity for John to gain more time with the child.
2. That the new boyfriend is an inappropriate person for the child to be exposed to: an opportunity to gain increased custody.
3. That the ex is living in an unsafe and unhealthy environment inappropriate for a child: an opportunity to gain custody.

Why John should not hire a Private Investigator:

1. To save money on child support
2. To get revenge
3. To try and win an ex back
4. To be the person in control

If you are in a child custody battle and are not sure if you need the help of an investigator call SPI Detective Agency locally at 402-932-4144 in Omaha, 515-864-0909in Des Moines, 425-953-1350 in Seattle, or 1-866-932-4144 from anywhere else in America to get honest advice as to whether or not an investigator can help in your situation.

Before I even begin, let me apologize.

2009-07-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Before getting too in-depth in this blog I feel compelled to offer an explanation; an explanation for what you ask? Keep reading the Private Investigator blog and you will understand.

SPI Detective agency does a lot of infidelity and child custody investigations; we work for men, women, grandparents, foster parents, aunts, boyfriends, girlfriends, lawyers, and courts. From these clients our investigators and team members learn lessons. In my time with SPI I have learned many lessons about people, relationships, patterns, expectations, and the choices people make. I am a firm believer in learning from others and will use client cases as examples to help readers understand what people in infidelity and child custody situations go through.

The part that I am apologizing for is that a lot of the cases I talk about in this blog will be based on male clients and female subjects. It’s not that I’m anti-female or pro male, it’s just that a lot of SPI’s clients in Omaha, Des Moines, and Seattle happen to be men. The reason for this is open to speculation but I believe it is because women do not need an investigator as often as men do. Women in child custody situations have less to prove – it is men that need the help to show they are the better parent. In infidelity women are often comfortable trusting intuition, have everlasting memories that help them piece clues together, and have friends and family for support.

Again, SPI Detective Agency does work with women; it’s just under different circumstances than with men. For example: In infidelity cases women hire an investigator knowing their significant other is cheating, the women just need solid proof. When men hire an infidelity investigator it is to find out if their significant other is cheating.

In child custody situations women hire an investigator to get enough proof to keep the children from seeing the father. Men hire an investigator to gain more time with the children.

As you read this blog you will see the difference between men and women, begin to see the patterns in your life that should send up red flags, and will hopefully find comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

I'm Getting Divorced - Who Gets Custody

2009-02-26T19:05:00.001-08:00

Who gets custody is one of the most frequent questions I hear. In the past it was well known that the mother would probably retain custody but times are changing and this is not always the case anymore.

Who will get custody of the child is answered by the question who is in the best position to care for the child. Each situation is different and must be looked at on an individual basis. Mothers that are stay at home moms generally have the best chance of retaining custody but it is not guaranteed. If the mother has a problem with drugs/alcohol, if she has a turbulent life style, or needs a lot of “personal time” there is a good chance she will lose custody.

The most important thing in a custody battle is being able to prove why you are the better parent for your child to be with; unfortunately the best way to do this is by showing why the other parent is not the best person.