A neglected child is always a matter of concern. This is what most parents dread after a complicated separation. You never knew that you would have to look for private investigation services for your child custody case. But here you are. We understand how stressful it is to learn your child isn’t being properly cared for. Your heart aches for their well-being. But sometimes, there is nothing that you can do instantly. You have to follow legal steps and work with an attorney. But you need evidence you can prove, and that’s where a child custody investigation comes in.
Child custody cases are very emotional and can even make you feel stressed continuously. Most parents don’t know how to handle such cases. You may know your child isn’t being cared for properly. You may already know that the co-parent is using substances. But courts do not rely on words. They need evidence. Private investigators can help you collect that evidence. Hiring a private investigator for child custody is not a simple decision, but it can shift the case in your favor. The longer you wait to work with them, the longer your case will run. Private investigators know how to collect evidence on your behalf that you can use in court.
Now, the question is, when is the right time to hire a private investigator for your child dispute case? This blog covers some of the main situations where you can get help from working with a private investigator.
When You Notice That Your Child’s Safety is at Stake
No parent compromises on their child’s safety. This is one of the major signs that a parent decides to take things more seriously. They may notice something off in their child’s behavior, or the child may even say they don’t feel safe around the co-parent. Now, the court won’t accept your assumptions. To win the case, you have to prove the child’s safety is truly at risk. For example, you may notice a change in behavior or some minor injuries. However, children have bad days, and a single occurrence doesn’t mean anything until you notice a pattern. You may see injuries on their body that the child cannot describe. Or their behavior has changed significantly when they come home.
When you choose to work with a private investigator, they can document the details for you. Private investigators can set up surveillance from a safe location and note the behavior of the child and the parent. Obviously, they will also ensure they don’t infringe on anyone’s privacy. They also do not fabricate evidence. They document things they observe and make a collective report from it. That report can help confirm a pattern of safety concerns.
When You Suspect Substance Abuse by Co-Parent During Parenting Time
A person who is under the influence of a substance cannot take care of a child. They can even harm the kids. Using illicit substances around kids is usually a big risk, and the parents should act swiftly in such situations. A responsible parent will never use any substance or drink heavily when they are around kids. However, people have a past. If you know that a suspect has a past record of substance abuse, you should be very cautious when they are on parent duty. Judges also take these accusations seriously, as they can affect child custody.
Nevertheless, you cannot rely on rumors or assumptions. A person with a substance abuse past may have gotten over it now. Also, a single occurrence of heavy drinking does not influence the court much. That’s where private investigators can come to your help. They can document and record the person’s observable behavior. For example, they can follow the person to a place known for selling illegal substances. If the person is recorded visiting such a location regularly, the court can consider this a serious violation of child custody. It is also a good idea to work with an attorney so they can guide private investigators on what evidence to look for.
There are Strangers Around the Kid in the House
Occasional strangers coming to the house are nothing to worry about. But if you keep noticing that lots of people come to the house at odd times, it should raise an alarm. You should also pay close attention to when people come to the house. For example, if your child says that people are visiting regularly late at night, they may be doing something illegal, like taking drugs. You should also notice the child’s normal behavior. Ask who is visiting without sounding inquisitive. If someone spends too much time with the kid, you should definitely look into it.
Nevertheless, you should not suspect everyone. Even if you go to court and say you are afraid for your child’s safety because a lot of strangers come to the house, you will still need to prove those people may pose a safety risk. Private investigators doing a child custody investigation can work discreetly and run background checks on those people. They can see if any of those people have a criminal history. They can also document a conversation happening in a public place. Once done, they can create a report and submit it to the attorney, who can analyze it and decide what evidence will help in your case. Anyway, it is not always about a fight. Sometimes, it’s about getting the right information so you can have peace of mind knowing your child is safe.
When You Notice That Your Child Is Being Left Unsupervised
This is another reason a child dispute occurs. Some parents think it is fine to leave kids unsupervised for hours without checking even once. They automatically assume that the child can take care of themselves. Or sometimes, they leave the younger kids with their elder siblings. Some parents even go on vacation without properly arranging care for the kids. Naturally, you will worry about the kid if you notice something similar happening. Hiring a private investigator for child custody can help you get the evidence to shift the case in your favor.
Again, being just suspicious or having concrete proof are two different things. If you’re suspicious, you may want to hire a private investigator. You can consult with them about your findings and provide the details. Private investigators will see how they can set up surveillance without breaking any laws. Once they are in position, they will record and document everything. For example, they may observe a co-parent going shopping and leaving the kid in the car or outside for extended hours. Private investigators will report similar situations you can use in a child dispute case.
If You Believe the Co-Parent Broke the Custody Agreement
Every child custody agreement differs. Each has its own set of rules that each parent must follow. These agreements usually cover visitation times, pick-up and drop-off times, where a child can stay and for how long, and any behavioral limits, such as not indulging in drinking or anything similar. These agreements are designed to protect the child’s well-being. The court wants the child to feel normal and not move from one place to another. If you believe your co-parent repeatedly breaks these agreements, you can take the matter to court.
However, you cannot simply file a child dispute case for a single event. For example, someone may get stuck in traffic, or their vehicle may break down on the way to drop off the child. Or lateness can also happen because of misunderstandings. Nevertheless, the court will consider your opinion if you can prove a pattern. A private investigator can record the dates, times, and observable behavior. They can document whether the child repeatedly spends time somewhere else. Once they have useful information, they will prepare a report. Your attorney can use that report to confirm a repeated pattern of custody violation. This evidence can shift the case in your favor.
When You Suspect the Living Conditions Are Not Safe
Some situations do not come up suddenly. They result from many smaller events. No parent wants an unsafe living condition for their kid. What if your child comes and says they don’t have enough to eat on time? Or they eat at odd times when the food comes. Or they always eat outside food. Sometimes, the co-parent may take the kids to stay in an unsafe area. The surroundings also matter for kids. They cannot always stay indoors, and if the outside environment is not good enough, it may cause mental issues in them.
As a parent, you want a good enough environment for your kids. You do not want them hanging around people with dubious backgrounds. You also don’t want them to stay in a house where food is scarce. Or they might be living without electricity or heat for long periods. A private investigator can closely observe these things. You will get a firsthand report on your kids’ living conditions. If you believe it is not up to par, you can connect with an attorney. The private investigator’s findings will help your attorney present evidence in court.
When You Have Concerns About Their New Partners
It is common for people to find new partners after a separation. Although there is nothing to worry about, you may still feel skeptical about a co-parent’s new partner. This is natural, especially when you don’t know them. New beginnings are healthy for everyone involved, including the child. But what if the new person your partner is seeing has a history of violence? What if they already have several criminal cases? After all, these things happen and can put your child’s safety at risk.
Working with a private investigator can give you the answers you need. They can record the new parent’s observable behavior from a safe distance. They can also run background checks and search public databases. Soon, you will have all the answers to your questions. You can see if they have been involved in any criminal cases. Or if there’s any recent activity that could raise an alarm. If you can prove in court that the new person could pose a safety risk to your child, the court can consider changing the custody arrangements. Private investigators can collect evidence for you in these situations.
What Does a Private Investigator Do in a Child Custody Investigation
When you hire a private investigator, don’t expect something dramatic. Avoid hiring them for minor disputes like scheduling conflicts or differences in parenting style. First, consult an attorney, and if they think your case would benefit from a private investigator, you can consider working with one. They can do several things for your case. Some of them are
- Background checks
- Surveillance
- Lifestyle verification
- Witness interviews
Your attorney can also guide them on what kind of evidence can benefit your case. The best part is that they do all the work while staying within legal boundaries. This means the evidence you use faces less opposition in court and is more likely to be accepted. If you use illegal means like wiretapping or trespassing, you could even get into legal trouble yourself. It can completely backfire and might shift the case away from you.
Can I Conduct the Investigation on My Own?
You can, but do you know what evidence you need to win the case? You may not. That’s why it is better to get help from someone who knows how to help you in the best possible way. Even when you are working with an attorney, you will still need evidence that you can prove in court. Attorneys are busy because they have to handle multiple cases. They can build a strong argument in court, but they cannot do the surveillance of your co-parent. And you may not have the expertise to stay discreet while doing the investigative work. You could even break the law in the process. For example, you can trespass while following them or take photographs while they are in a private space. If you try to use that evidence in court, you will be disappointed to learn the court simply refuses to consider it.
Private investigators, on the other hand, follow a certain standard while working on the case. They know how to set up surveillance and document the person. They note even the smallest details that can help your case. Once they are done, you get a finished report with a compilation of evidence that an attorney can use. The major benefit of working with a private investigator is that you get evidence your opposition can’t question because you have all the answers.
Still Confused About Making the Decision?
We understand. Oklahoma City Private Investigations has handled many cases where a parent wasn’t sure about working with a private investigation agency. They may think it means something serious has happened. But that is not always the case. We have sometimes found evidence that also provided peace of mind to the parent. For example, a parent may suspect the new partner’s behavior, but our findings may suggest the person is clean and has no criminal or violent history.
Ultimately, you have to trust your instincts when deciding whether to work with a private investigator for a child custody investigation. We can do background checks, surveillance, and documentation, and prepare a report you can use in court. Our investigation ensures there are no gaps in the story. We also use legal means to collect information so you don’t get into trouble. We are here if you have any questions about our work and how it can help in your case.
