Child Custody
What is a Child Custody Investigator?
A child custody investigator provides valuable services for parents going through child custody disputes. Your family law attorney would likely recommend speaking with a child custody investigator to determine what options you have to help your case. A child custody investigator benefits you by providing an unbiased observation of your child’s well-being when in the care of the other parent.
How Does a Child Custody Investigation Work?
A child custody investigation most often involves using surveillance to see how your child is being treated, who is around your child, and the behavior of the other parent in the presence of your child. A private investigator uses video recording equipment to secure evidence that may be viewed by a judge to support your allegations. If you request, the child custody investigator can interview potential witnesses, such as family members, neighbors and others who have observed your child with the other parent. Child custody investigations often include background checks on the people to whom your child is exposed when in the care of the other parent. When investigating the other parent, the child custody investigator looks for behaviors such as substance abuse (alcohol and/or drugs), criminal acts, reckless driving, angry/violent outbursts, and any other actions that show your child is endangered or neglected. Once the child custody investigation is complete, the investigator provides a written report and media files for you and your attorney to use in preparation for trial. The investigator also provides court testimony if needed.
What are the Possible Outcomes of a Child Custody Investigation?
When you hire a child custody investigator, you are better prepared for trial. In North Carolina, there are two types of child custody: physical custody and legal custody.
Physical custody, as defined by North Carolina General Statute 48-1-101 (12), refers to “the physical care of and control over an individual.”
In simple terms, physical custody refers to the person with whom the child resides. It is important to note that the court may award physical custody to one parent (sole physical custody) or both parents (joint physical custody). Visitation schedules are determined as part of physical custody.
Legal custody, as defined by North Carolina General Statute 48-1-101 (9), refers to “the general right to exercise continuing care of and control over the individual as authorized by law, with or without a court order, and:
a. Includes the right and the duty to protect, care for, educate, and discipline the individual;
b. Includes the right and the duty to provide the individual with food, shelter, clothing, and medical care; and
c. May include the right to have physical custody of the individual.
As the North Carolina Court of Appeals stated in Diehl v. Diehl (2006), legal custody refers to the “right and responsibility to make decisions with important and long-term implications for a child’s best interest and welfare.” This would encompass decisions such as education, medical care, etc.
As you can see, child custody disputes have the potential to render life-altering changes that affect the well-being of your child. It is your duty as a parent to fight diligently to ensure your child is set up for success in life. Child custody investigations provide you with the ammunition needed to increase your chances of success in court.
Do You Need a Child Custody Investigator?
The short answer to this question is an emphatic YES. As a parent, your job is to protect your child. When you know the other parent is unfit, dangerous or erratic, your child is negatively affected and it can cause long-term damage. But, what if you aren’t sure about the other parent? Hiring a child custody investigator allows you to get the peace of mind you deserve. You should also consider third parties to whom your child is exposed. What do you really know about them? Do they have a criminal record? Do they present a threat?
How Much Does a Child Custody Investigation Cost?
This is an important question and one the Aubor Group team is willing to answer openly, unlike many investigative firms. Because every investigation is different due to circumstances specific to the client, the amount of time a case requires varies. We have worked child custody investigations where we were able to secure enough evidence for a client in as few as ten hours, while other clients have asked us to spend weeks investigating because they wanted every bit of evidence they could possibly obtain prior to trial, as they did not want to risk their child’s future.
In the end, how much you are willing to spend to protect your child is solely your decision and we will not pressure you in any manner. Our policy is to provide you with frequent updates so that you may make an informed decision on when to terminate a child custody investigation.
Want to Learn More?
Our private investigators are licensed by the State of North Carolina and have the requisite experience to conduct thorough child custody investigations to ensure you have the facts on your side. We offer affordable rates and are available to speak with you seven days a week. Give us a call today at (336) 697-6545 or use this form to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. Our consultations are free and you are under no obligation to hire us. In fact, we encourage you to speak with multiple investigative firms to ensure you are comfortable with your choice to hire us. We are confident in our ability to help you protect your child.