Experiences with private investigator?

[Unleashed]

My situation will benefit from logging adulterous activity with a PI.  Anyone used one?  I know they have the potential to be a bit disordered themselves, well the old guys might be ok, but I am leery of some.

My questions:

1) Approximate cost to investigate a simple adultery where I have done 2/3 of the work?

2) Any bad experiences, such as regarding billing?

3) Any incompetencies?

4) Did any of them really put it together for your case?

My region has few, well more than half in the directories are out of service, we can say it is a dead industry here.

[broken3]

Do it yourself.

Brinno tlc 2000. time stamps. And goes for about a week.

About $150.00

Nuff said.

[Unleashed]

Ahh, I am well equipped.  In my state, to be admissible into court, it must be done by a "professional"   It is an absolute must by our law, otherwise you are on the right track.

[Nope]

You said you are in VA correct? I find it hard to believe it is a dead industry in one of the few states that still has financial penalties for adultery in divorce cases.

I would suggest making what you expect them to do and how long you expect them to do it as clear as possible. Example: I would like you to follow her from 4pm to 11pm on Wednesday and take pictures. How much would something like that cost?

If you know Wednesday night is date night and that the PI is likely to get pictures of them kissing then you pretty much have what you need and it cost you whatever the rate is for seven hours. The only way to avoid screw ups is to give them great Intel to go on.

I have no advice on hiring one but if you are in NoVA then there are people with all kinds of experience. But there are some very specific requirements for being a PI. Since you can ask for proof that they have a license it doesn't hurt to check a place like Craig's List.

And don't rule out potentially disordered PIs. It just depends on the disorder. Some people have an almost sick need to get to the truth of a matter as their form of OCD. Some bipolars have no problem staying alert and doing an all night stakeout on your behalf while manic. Some people take certain jobs because their illness makes them good at them.

[Soulsisters]

Hi there,

I had a great experience with a Pi.  My x was stalking me physically and electronically.  He had my communications hacked for 8 months.  The Pi found guards for me and proved the cyber crime. 

The body guards were 100.00 a day.  The proof of cyber crime was 2500.00.

It saved me.  Truly it did. 

Good luck.  Don't tap into your spouses communications, don't have anyone else do it either.  You will be the criminal in the end.

[Waddams]

Sometimes bail bondsmen are also rather good at surveilling people without being noticed.  And a lot of them also have PI licenses and various equipment/tools/tricks that help them out.  It serves them well when trying to track down bail jumpers or people the bail jumpers associate with. 

[Unleashed]

Well the deed was done, and no PI was able to work it. I investigated the legal climate a little better, there are circumstances where a PI is required, however I can land on evidence and work a fair bit myself.  I am considering purchasing and placing a junk car with tags on the adulterer's street (1 hour away from me), it would be rigged with motion detecting cameras, etc. I'd make it presentable, move it occasionally and collect my car after a month, eh?  Also considering a dummy black box on a utility pole on his street, or paying his neighbor a significant sum of $$ to let me rig the neighboring attic vent with cameras (very risky offer to a stranger). Basically with the cost/benefit analysis, it would be reasonable to pay a neighbor $1k to let me do it and keep his mouth shut. I know this isn't the Kremlin, but eh, it may be the most effective strategy.

Good luck.  Don't tap into your spouses communications, don't have anyone else do it either.  You will be the criminal in the end.

Very true, I am victim of such, but chose not to take it further. My wife has done computer hacking thru a simple virus. I ended up suspecting it, set up a special procedure to detect, and behold, within an hour I had my proof. Yes, I have a little programming background, she had not intercepted any evil, because there is none.  I did log onto a website on Canniballism and reviewed it at length (presumably leaving a trace of such at her end) before advising her of her evil espionage... . Have to inject humor into it!

Sometimes bail bondsmen are also rather good at surveilling people without being noticed.  And a lot of them also have PI licenses and various equipment/tools/tricks that help them out.  It serves them well when trying to track down bail jumpers or people the bail jumpers associate with. 

Excellent idea, if they are licensed for such they'd be the certain runner up. I actually know a couple, no never been hooked up, just know them... . Thanks.  Either way, we are looking at a long distance case with little pre-warning intel to act on. I think the dummy car is the best idea, hmm... .

Thanks for your insight folks, inspiring.

[ForeverDad]

One of our members, Exonerated, had to deal with a legally separated spouse who was visiting or living with a 'friend'.  I recall comments of remote observation from a car parked nearby on the street.

These days most courts and even some religions don't care about the impact of adult behaviors such as affairs, flings and one-nighters.  Of the states that do, I believe it is meant to curb the rush to divorce quickly over every little spat.  That makes it hard for those with a real need to end the relationship.

If you are contemplating DIY remedies rather than use professionals then research what works, what is less likely to have negative consequences for you and figure out which methods might need to have the risks reduced.

[marbleloser]

The only thing proving adultery "might" help you with is alimony. Usually,if there is adultery,then no alimony is awarded.

It has no standing in custody,because it isn't harming the children.

That said, I know someone who's exH hired a PI. Since his name was on the vehicle loan,they put a tracking device on her car. The PI took photos of her with guys ( I was one of them,but we weren't dating,so there were no hugging,handholding/kissing,etc.,,).

It's a bit expensive,but it may be worth it in order to protect yourself from alimony payments. Just don't show your hand. Give it time and let the investigator do the work. Photos you've taken won't mean much and her attorney will turn that around into stalking,against you.

[Unleashed]

Photos you've taken won't mean much and her attorney will turn that around into stalking,against you.

You sound like my attorney, yes, same words.  I am no stalker, but releasing alimony is a big deal.  Would you do a one month project, say perhaps, painting, for $100,000?  Well, would you invest in $5k and a week of time in order to save $100k?  Well I think the economics speak for themselves regarding release of alimony with proof.  I am not as comfortable with "stalking" in this economical realm as the courts are.  Now when I have custody and she searches town for us to cause disturbances, that in my eyes is stalking. But according to the courts you are right, my actions would be marginal.

One of our members, Exonerated, had to deal with a legally separated spouse who was visiting or living with a 'friend'.

I read his post, quite an intense person and situation. It sounds like he knew what he was doing possibly.

One more abstract goal here is to gather the evidence, then decide whether to bargain for some sort of reduced alimony, lump sum, whatever. The other goal can include getting a clear pattern detection; then giving a PI enough info to get what he needs in a day and $2k, rather than giving him a search for the ark with no clues... . I need to place a leash on her ambition. Ambition and achievement do not match in BPD's

Thanks,

[marbleloser]

That's where a tracking device would come in handy. The PI would be able to see where she is in real time,without having to follow her.

And,let the PI install the tracker. That way,you have no knowledge of it.

[ForeverDad]

Professionals can do things we can't.  Well, maybe we can but then we risk getting exposed to allegations of stalking, harassment or worse.  PI's or other professionals have no relationship with the subject, no emotional ties, probably are certified and even bonded. 

[catnap]

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA

https://www.piava.org/

They have a section for finding a licensed PI firm.  Hope this helps.