1. Documenting Suspected Neglect, Abuse, or Unsafe Conditions: If you have concerns about the other parent’s ability to provide a safe and stable environment for your child, a PI can discreetly gather evidence, such as photos, videos, or detailed reports, documenting instances of neglect, exposure to substance abuse or criminal activity, unsafe living conditions, or inappropriate behavior. This factual evidence can be crucial in proving the necessity of a specific custody arrangement in court.
2. Verifying Adherence to Custody Agreements: If you suspect the other parent is not adhering to the current custody agreement, a PI can conduct surveillance and gather evidence, such as documentation of missed visitations or non-compliance with pick-up/drop-off times. This documented non-compliance can be used to seek a modification of the existing custody order.
3. Background Checks and Lifestyle Assessments: PIs can conduct thorough background checks on the other parent and any new partners, revealing potential red flags such as criminal history, substance abuse, or financial instability that could impact custody decisions. They can also assess the overall lifestyle and home environment to determine if it is suitable and safe for the child’s well-being.
4. Objective and Unbiased Evidence Gathering: Child custody cases can be emotionally charged, making it difficult for parents to gather objective evidence. A PI provides an impartial third-party perspective, gathering evidence without personal bias that can be deemed more credible by the courts. This can significantly strengthen your case and help the judge make a fair and informed decision in the child’s best interests.
5. Assessing Parental Alienation and Emotional Impact: In some cases, one parent may try to alienate the child from the other parent, causing emotional harm. A PI can help identify signs of parental alienation through interviews and observations, providing evidence that can be used to address this harmful behavior in court and protect the child’s emotional well-being

Assessing parental alienation and its emotional impact

• Document instances of alienation:
  • Communication records (texts, emails, voicemails) between parents regarding the children.
  • Witness statements from third parties like teachers, family friends, or neighbors who observed the other parent’s interactions with the children.
  • Visual evidence (photos, videos) of inappropriate behavior by the other parent.
  • Social media posts or written communications by the child or alienating parent.
  • A personal diary or journal documenting interactions, observations, and incidents of alienating behavior, including dates and times.
  • School and medical records that reveal changes in the child’s behavior or health.
• Recognize the signs
  • Physical abuse: Unexplained injuries, bruises, fractures, burns, cuts, or restraints.
  • Neglect: Poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, untreated health problems (like bedsores), unsafe or unsanitary living conditions.
  • Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Behavioral changes (withdrawal, depression, anxiety), fearfulness around certain individuals, signs of intimidation or manipulation.
  • Sexual Abuse: Bruises in unusual areas (genitals, breasts), unexplained venereal disease or infections, torn or stained clothing, or unexplained bleeding from the genital or anal area.
  • Financial Exploitation: Sudden changes in bank accounts, missing valuables or money, unpaid bills despite available funds, or sudden changes in wills or legal documents. 

Domestic Family Investigations