EP 44: Using a Private Investigator in Your Divorce (and How They Find Hidden Money)

Welcome to the forty-four episode of Divorce and Your Money Show. Your host, Shawn Leamon, MBA and a Divorce Analyst, discusses the subject of hiring private investigators during your divorce.

Private investigators have a lot of mystique about them, but they could have an important role during your divorce. Hiring private investigators means you have some serious suspicions about your spouse. You usually hire a private investigator for one or more of the following reasons:

• To find out if your spouse is cheating
• To help look for hidden assets
• To be sure your spouse is taking proper care of any children

First, a private investigator might look at communication records, follow your spouse, check credit card records, and use a variety of other techniques to find out if your spouse is not being faithful to you.

Second, private investigators may look for hidden assets, which may be especially important. Hidden assets come in many forms, and a private investigator can help you find other homes, jewelry, side businesses, and other assets that your spouse may be hiding. Together with a forensic accountant, private investigators can do an extraordinary job of locating hidden assets.

Third, be sure your spouse is taking proper care of any children you have. If you suspect your spouse may be abusive or negligent, you can hire a private investigator to help you find out.

When you consider hiring a private investigator, be sure that they are licensed in your state. Make sure they have insurance. You also need to have them provide you with a contract detailing the full scope of their services, how they will report back to you, how long everything will take, and how much it will cost. They should also be able to provide you with referrals.

Hiring a private investigator is a major step, but sometimes it can give you peace of mind.

Key Learning Points:

• Private investigators can have an important role during a divorce.
• Private investigators can find out if your spouse is cheating.
• Private investigators can look for hidden assets.
• Private investigators can determine if your spouse is taking proper care of any children you have.
• Make sure your private investigator is licensed in your state, has insurance, can provide references, and provides you with a contract and a full scope of services.

Thank you for listening to the Divorce and Your Money Phow. We hope the show helps you through one of the most difficult periods of your life. Shawn Leamon is also author of Divorce and Your Money: The No-Nonsense Guide. One-on-one divorce coaching services are available at www.divorceandyourmoney.com.

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