Is it worth using a private investigator during divorce?

May 7, 2022 - Reading time: 8 minutes

None of us get married with the intention that we will get divorced later down the line, we all hope and expect that our marriages will last forever. Sadly, this is not always the case and many of us will end up dealing with potentially messy divorces.

It can be very difficult to obtain a ‘no-fault’ divorce in the UK unless you have been separated from your partner for two years. This means that there is typically a level of blame or fault which will be assigned during the divorce.

If you suspect that your partner is unfaithful during your marriage, or that your partner may be involved in illegal activities, then gathering evidence to substantiate those claims could prove to be highly beneficial to you during subsequent divorce proceedings.

Obtaining clear evidence of infidelity or nefarious behaviour can prove to be very difficult in many cases, especially if the subject is mindful of their wrongdoings and takes steps to conceal their activities. In many cases a skilled private investigator can provide the key when it comes to unlocking a divorce case by gathering conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.

Whether or not it is worthwhile to hire a private investigator during your divorce will ultimately depend on the circumstances and evidence that is able to be gathered over the course of your investigation. During most surveillance cases it is very difficult to predict the evidence that will be gathered or how much time might be needed, as there are many different variables involved in each respective case.

If you have suspicions about your partner then hiring an investigator to check and gather proof may end up being a wise decision. In many cases investigators are able to save their clients significant sums of money during divorces.

Obtaining evidence for divorce settlements 

Private investigators typically gather evidence of infidelity using personal surveillance. ‘Personal surveillance’ means to watch an individual, follow them, and to gather evidence of their activities in the form of photos/video.

Evidence gathered would typically consist of the photos/videos themselves, usually accompanied by a detailed report which will outline the subject’s activities and movements observed by the investigator during surveillance.

The level of evidence needed in each case can vary depending on the needs and requirements of each client. If a subject is thought to be cohabitating as part of an adulterous relationship for example, then it may be necessary to gather evidence of their living arrangements over a prolonged period.

On the other hand, if a subject is observed showing clear romantic behaviour with an adulterous lover (such as holding hands or kissing) within a short time, then it may be possible to gather enough evidence within a shorter period and to then close the case. 

Often is the case that the mere notion of a private investigator’s involvement may prove to increase amiability during discussions about divorce. With that said, it’s important to note that once you have exposed the involvement of a private investigator to your ex-partner, that our cover would then be blown and further surveillance of them may prove to be more difficult and less fruitful.

If you are planning to hire a private investigator in order to catch your partner out then do not tell them or threaten to hire an investigator! If a person is aware that an investigator may become involved then they may alter their behaviour which could possibly make our job more difficult.

How much surveillance is needed in order to prove wrongdoing?

This is a tricky question. During surveillance everything depends on the subject’s lifestyle, movements, and the opportunities for them to be photographed in a compromising position. All of these factors vary from case to case, depending on who we are tasked with observing.

Some cases can be closed after just one day or a few hours of surveillance... Other cases can take longer and in some cases our clients desire to collect an overwhelming amount of evidence can stretch the case out over several weeks or months. 

It is usually our clients themselves who will be the best people to predict the total amount of surveillance time needed, as they have the most knowledge about their partner’s movements and any opportunities for an investigator to collect evidence.

Using GPS trackers during divorce investigations

It is common practice for private investigators to use GPS tracking devices during divorce or infidelity investigations, and if you are currently going through a divorce with a belligerent or ‘controlling’ ex-partner then you should be especially wary about the potential for them to use such devices.

GPS trackers are typically affixed to the underside of the subject’s vehicle. The whereabouts and movements of that vehicle can then be monitored 24 hours a day using an online control panel. 

Trackers can allow investigators to map out a subject’s movements over several days or weeks, which allows us to deploy surveillance operatives at key times and locations when the subject is most likely to be photographed committing acts of infidelity. 

Has your spouse hired a private investigator to follow you?

If you suspect that your spouse might have hired a private investigator to keep an eye on you, then you may find hiring your own investigator to be beneficial.

We can help to conduct ‘counter-surveillance’, which would involve checking to see if a client is being surveilled.

If a client is found to be subject to ongoing surveillance, we would then use our experience to help advise them on the most effective methods to hamper surveillance, and to cause their ex-partner to encounter as much cost as possible.

If a private investigator is following you, then hiring another investigator to conduct counter-surveillance will allow you to gather evidence that you are being monitored. 

If your ex-partner has taken the step to hire a private investigator, then you should be aware of them using bugging devices. We can also help to search for bugs (such as trackers or hidden camera/microphones) which may have been left by an ex-partner or their agents, as part of our bug sweeping service. 

Using a private investigator to locate hidden assets during divorce

Another area where private investigators are able to help during divorce cases is to locate hidden assets. If you suspect that your former partner could be concealing their assets then an investigator may be able to help locate them, using a variety of different techniques.

If your partner has indeed taken steps to conceal assets and their true net worth, then hiring an investigator to check the facts can often prove to be a worthwhile and cost-effective endeavour. Asset searches can range from placing the subject under surveillance, to credit reports, shareholding checks, directorship checks, vehicle checks, et al., with much depending on the circumstances in each case.

If significant assets are being concealed or hidden, then instructing an investigator to shed light on the situation may be a worthwhile endeavour.

How much does it cost to hire a private investigator?

Fees associated with private investigations can depend on the location, circumstances, and length of the case. We offer free, no obligation quotes for all work. Feel free to get in touch with us for a quote, remember to include the post code and any relevant details.