Have you ever considered hiring a private investigator? No matter what the reason is behind your decision, it’s important to understand the details, legal considerations and possible outcomes involved with taking this step.

What is a private investigator?

A person in this line of work is trained and licensed to collect evidence, conduct surveillance and look into matters such as infidelity, child custody cases or possible elder abuse.

What can they do?

If you hire an investigator to check in on the care of a loved one, they have the same rights you do to visit and observe the well-being of your family member. As long as the investigator isn’t breaking the law, they can also take photos and listen to conversations anywhere the person under surveillance doesn’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Is the evidence admissible in court?

As long as the investigator hasn’t broken the law, any evidence they present to you should be admissible in court. It’s a good idea to have a competent attorney review the investigator’s report to make sure everything is legitimate, however.

Why hire a private investigator?

Qualified investigators have experience watching and listening without drawing attention to themselves and are anonymous to the person under surveillance. Unlike attorneys or members of law enforcement, private investigators also have the freedom to conduct investigations as ordinary citizens.

Once you’ve decided to take this approach, always make sure to hire a licensed professional and ask for references from past clients.