Divorce is never easy, especially when there are kids involved. This whole exercise affects your emotional stability and that of your kids. Once you apply for a divorce in an Oklahoma court, the court will seriously consider child custody disputes. To determine the actual living condition of the child involved, there will come a time when you might seek a child custody investigation. The investigation presents a detailed account of the living conditions and daily routine. In short, everything is accounted for.
Families in Oklahoma City turn towards licensed investigators if they suspect neglect, substance abuse, and an unsafe environment. This evidence eventually plays a determining role in the judge’s ruling. Concerned parents who are worried about their children can use these investigations to make the right call. However, there are a few things that you might not be familiar with. In this post, we will provide insight into custody investigations and when you should consider one.
What Compels You to Opt for Child Custody Investigations in Oklahoma?
There will be days when you might notice bruises and injury marks on your child. You might also hear about people staying overnight, or how the other parent missed scheduled pickups. Since courts will never act on mere hearsay, you will have to rely on private investigators. You need proof that you can present in court. The PIs you hire will then investigate to document the facts. Some of the common triggers they look for are substance abuse, living with an unapproved partner, child custody violations, and emotional neglect. These are some important details the court will consider when finalizing a decision if you have an ongoing legal case. Investigators will look at every aspect to help you get a better picture. Further to help you build a strong case, the investigator will identify the evidence that the courts will find credible.
How Do Child Custody Investigations in Oklahoma Work?
As a parent, you are bound to have doubts about hiring a PI, and that’s perfectly fine. So, when you do get in touch with licensed investigators, they will look at the existing custody order and any prior complaints. Next, they conduct surveillance to document the subject’s daily routines, living conditions, and any potential violations of custody laws. They will photograph and timestamp the evidence for your benefit and the courts. At the same time, they will conduct background checks to see whether the new partner has any past criminal records or custody history. All these findings will be compiled and shared in a court- ready report, along with other supporting paperwork.
Since evidence collected through illegal means can damage the case, the private investigators avoid such tactics. Because of this, reputable investigators always stay within legal limits while conducting research. The primary objective is to present precise and accurate records that judges can trust.
What Should You Look for in a Child Custody Investigator?
We understand you are worried about the child. In your desperation, don’t make the mistake of hiring any investigator without proper verification. Start by asking the right questions to understand their work experience better. For instance, qualified and experienced investigators can testify in family court and have a good understanding of the process.
Apart from carrying the necessary license, they must also have liability insurance and a clear policy on how they store the evidence. Since the case involves a minor, you must ask the investigators about the number of cases they have handled in the past. Remember, a good investigator will always set realistic expectations, rather than claiming a guaranteed result. This is crucial, since the courts make judgments based on the complete evidence and never rely on a single report.
Types of Evidence that You Can Use in Family Court
Family courts in Oklahoma rely on factual evidence. As such, time-stamped photographs and video that are obtained from public places have a strong chance of being accepted. Background checks of the live-in partner who appears to have a criminal history also carry a lot of weight. Surveillance findings, paired with medical and school records, can go a long way to create a strong case. Instead of vague accusations, judges will consider evidence that comes from complete, verifiable records like school attendance and medical appointments.
Investigators can also do a behavioral pattern analysis to identify repeated incidents. This can show that the subject’s mistakes are repeated, not isolated incidents. Repeated concerns require special attention. Similarly, attorneys can improve the documentation, which can further strengthen your case.
Skip Tracing and Locating an Unresponsive Parent
A bulk of the custody cases involve a parent who is unresponsive or has intentionally decided to move out, without informing the other party or court. In such a scenario, investigators in Oklahoma City use skip tracing techniques, including sourcing public records, to find a parent who is hiding or avoiding the summons. This is critical for the child custody case because the court cannot pass judgment when the other parent is missing. With the parent dodging the calls, it gives a clear indication of the environment where the child is staying. All of this will be incorporated into the child custody investigation. So, without any further delay, you must treat this as a matter of concern.
If you do need help with a child custody case investigation and how local investigators proceed, you can review it here.
How Courts Use the Child Custody Investigation Report?
The child custody investigation report is viewed as supporting evidence. The judge involved will never consider it to decide the verdict. Alongside the testimony of both parents and existing case history, they will look at every aspect. Most attorneys use the investigation report to negotiate a settlement before the court trial. In contested hearings, the court may ask your investigator to present their findings and explain how they sourced the evidence. This is why we recommend hiring good, qualified private investigators who prefer to use legal means to gather the evidence. Unlawful or unverified reports don’t have a chance to stand up under cross-examination.
This is why our Private investigators make it a point to separate fact from fiction. They are neutral, and their observations are based on the actual situation, rather than personal interpretation. An organized report can provide a clearer picture.
Why Hiring a Private Investigator is Worth the Cost
You are already under a lot of duress, and with the child custody case, things are not what they used to be. There is a financial cost that appears to be draining your budget. On top of that, hiring a private investigator might seem far-fetched. But if you compare the long custody battle, the fee you pay to the investigator is somewhat modest. Your attorney will always suggest private investigators because judges will always look for better-documented supporting evidence rather than the parents’ testimony. The fee you pay for the child custody investigation will save precious time and effort. There are instances where a well- documented report has resolved disputes in a single hearing. So, when you hire professional investigators, they will look for ways to safeguard the child’s interest and your interest. In a way, the fee you pay to the investigator is highly justifiable.
The true value of working with an investigator is not just about getting information. It is about getting information that you can use in court with proof. This not only helps your case, but also saves your money on court proceedings. You can get a result much quicker when you have accurate documentation. Your attorney can handle the legal aspects, and your investigators can gather organized information.
Do You Have Any Misconceptions Regarding Child Custody Investigations?
Many parents assume the investigator will turn up, follow the other parent, and submit a report for the court. That’s not how real investigators work. In reality, the court will look at the other parent’s day-to-day activity to make a proper judgment. Another misconception that many parents have is that investigators can access private text messages or hack social media accounts without any proper consent. In truth, the investigator avoids any activity that federal or state law deems unlawful. A child custody investigation takes time, and you must prepare for the long haul.
At Private Investigators Oklahoma City, we offer accurate evidence by following the proper legal process. We never give our clients false hope about the process of gathering evidence. Our main objective is to source details that will give you a chance to strengthen your case.
How to Prepare Before Connecting with an Investigator?
Once you have decided to hire investigators, there is no looking back. To speed up the investigation, you must put together all the documents related to the case. These include existing custody orders, police reports, text messages, and emails related to the case. To give the investigators a head start, you can also provide a timeline of specific incidents, names of witnesses, daily schedule, and address of the other parent. This will go a long way to narrow down the surveillance window. Before the investigation begins, you must avoid any confrontation with the other party. To gain more clarity, try to consult with your family attorney. Keep the investigator in the loop, and this will play a key role in gathering precise and factual evidence that will be admissible in court.
What Happens Next After the Investigator Submits the Report?
Once the investigators finish the investigation, they will compile a written report containing photos, videos, and background check results. You will share this report with your attorney, who will determine how to use it during the court proceedings. If the report is credible, the other party might consider a settlement. If the litigation continues, the judge will ask the investigator to testify about how they collected the evidence. This is why experts suggest hiring investigators who collect evidence by adhering to the legal standards. Since you are fighting a child custody litigation, make sure to keep several copies of the report. With court proceedings taking time, you must have all the documents by your side.
What is the Role of Your Attorney alongside the Investigator?
Alongside the investigator, your attorney also plays a key role in the case involving child custody. The attorney will know what will work in court and how the judge may respond to the evidence submitted. This insight also helps shape the investigation module. The attorney will also advise on timing, since filing a motion without any proper evidence will affect the credibility of the case. The investigator will keep the attorney updated about recent findings, which helps build a legal strategy to build a strong case. It is better to have your attorney and investigator work together in tandem. They need to be in complete sync when it comes to presenting near-impenetrable evidence.
How Do Investigators Handle Situations Involving Child Custody?
Experienced investigators will never take a chance by putting them right in the middle of surveillance. Courts in Oklahoma will raise serious concerns regarding the methods on ethical grounds. Instead, the sole focus is on the adults involved and the environment. The behavioral patterns of the parents also provide a glimpse of the actual environment. The investigators never interview the child unless a child welfare professional or authorized attorney is present within the conversation. The accompanying photographs and videos are framed to include details of unsafe conditions or unauthorized visitors. This cautious approach will protect the child while sourcing evidence for the court.
Have You Decided on Your Next Move?
Only professionals with a thorough understanding of due process should handle a child custody investigation. Other than relying on professionals, there is no other way out. That’s where we come in. As investigators, we gather evidence that the court uses to render a better judgement. Of course, you have doubts and many questions that need answers. If you are yet to decide, feel free to consult with us by stepping into our office at 6051 North Brookline Avenue, Suite 129, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. You can also reach us by calling (405) 403-0106.
