Should You Hire a Private Investigator for Your Divorce?

Should You Hire a Private Investigator for Your Divorce?

When going through a divorce, you will undoubtedly feel a range of emotions. Divorce is stressful and it is natural to feel upset, stressed, and frustrated by the process. You may even start to become suspicious of your spouse and think they are acting unfairly, or that they have already acted unfairly. In these cases, you may consider hiring a private investigator. 

Many spouses do hire an investigator to find out truths about their spouse during the divorce process, but before you make that call, it is important to consider the benefits and potential ramifications of doing so.

How a Private Investigator Can Help Your Divorce

Divorces in Michigan follow no-fault laws, which means that you do not have to prove your spouse was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. However, fault does still play a role in divorce. For example, if your spouse spent marital funds on an affair, you may be awarded more in property division hearings. A private investigator can help uncover these truths so you secure a better settlement.

The discovery process in a divorce will allow you to learn many truths about your spouse, but it relies on your spouse voluntarily giving you information. Not all spouses want to do this during divorce. Private investigators have the experience, tools, and expertise to find the information you need. A private investigator will track locations, surveil, and take photographs and videos to provide evidence that will support your suspicions and the arguments you make.

How a Private Investigator Can Hurt Your Divorce

While a private investigator can bring many benefits to your divorce case, it may also hurt more than it helps. 

Private investigators may not be useful when you are trying to get an amicable divorce. If your spouse finds out that you have hired someone to spy on them and to dig into their background, it will most likely make them start to feel resentful and unwilling to cooperate with you. That may lead to a divorce that is more contentious, more time-consuming, and more costly than it would have been without involving a private investigator.

You must also consider the type of information a private investigator will find during your divorce. While you may want to know as much as possible about your spouse’s activities, you may not want that information to become public. You may also not want your children to find out about an affair or substance abuse problem your spouse has. If you hire a private investigator, there is a good chance the information they find will become public knowledge. It is important to weigh these considerations heavily to determine if hiring a private investigator is really right for you.

Our Michigan Family Lawyers Can Advise on Your Case

At Iafrate & Salassa, our knowledgeable Clinton Township family lawyers can advise on all aspects of your divorce case, including whether hiring a private investigator is appropriate. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys and to get the legal advice you need.