This article provides an overview of divorce investigation and infidelity investigation terminology, reports, resources, and forms.
What is a divorce?
A divorce is officially defined as the dissolution of a marriage contracted between a man and a woman by the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or by an act of the legislature. Any of the partners of a marriage can call for divorce, but both parties must agree to nullify a marriage completely.
Divorce records are available as part of each state’s vital records information. A divorce should not be confused with an annulment, which declares the marriage null and void.
More than half of all legal marriages end in some dissolution or separation. Often, a typical private investigator becomes involved with issues between married partners. Private eyes should have at least a basic understanding of the laws and issues related to matrimony, divorce, and legal separation.
Divorce laws vary considerably worldwide, but in most countries, getting a divorce requires the sanction or approval of a court or other authority in a legal process.
The legal process for divorce may also involve spousal support, child custody, child support, distribution of property and assets, and the division of debt. Where monogamy is the law, divorce allows each former partner to marry another person. In areas where polygamy is legal, divorce allows the woman to marry another.
Divorce and Marriage Infidelity Investigations
Private investigators handling divorce and marriage infidelity investigations require a nuanced understanding of legal, ethical, and investigative principles. Firstly, they must comprehend local laws governing privacy, evidence collection, and surveillance to ensure their methods comply with legal standards. Ethical considerations are crucial, as investigators must balance the client’s goals with respecting boundaries and avoiding trespassing or invasion of privacy.
Investigative skills such as surveillance techniques, evidence gathering, and interviewing witnesses or informants are essential. PIs often use discreet methods to monitor activities, gather photographic or video evidence, and document behavior patterns.
Understanding the emotional context of such cases is crucial; investigators must handle sensitive information and interactions with empathy and professionalism.
Collaboration with legal professionals is standard to ensure evidence admissibility in court proceedings. Effective communication with clients, managing expectations, and providing clear, timely updates on progress are also vital.
Important Notes
- Before beginning your divorce investigation, please note that divorce law differs in each state.
- In addition to conducting investigations related to the dissolution of marriage or searching for divorce records, private investigators may conduct financial investigations to determine the assets owned by either spouse.
- Private detectives use specialized equipment to conduct covert surveillance to capture the spouse’s activities.
Please visit our Private Investigator Directory to hire a private investigator specializing in divorce investigations.
Resources for Infidelity Investigations
If you’re a private detective who needs to locate records related to a marriage or the dissolution of one, run an online background investigation, including a public records search at BeenVerified. If you or your client wishes to file the paperwork themselves, visit our Divorce Forms section and get all the forms necessary to get a divorce or annulment for each state.
If you want more information, resources, or the latest news, check out Divorce Magazine. The magazine provides information, support, and guidance to individuals and families experiencing separation and divorce.
Another excellent resource for divorcees is DivorceNet, the Internet’s largest divorce resource. It offers state-specific articles, an online community, and a nationwide directory of divorce lawyers, mediators, and financial professionals.
Legal Forms
U.S. Legal Forms provides the necessary legal forms to file for divorce in each state.
Questions and Comments
If you have any questions about divorce and infidelity investigations, please post a comment below. For more legal definitions, visit our Glossary of Legal and Investigation Terms.