| You have found yourself divorced and in the | | | | Finally is the expert testimony that a private |
| aftermath come the child custody issues of | | | | investigator can offer in the court proceeding. |
| dealing with the ex. Many clients call to discuss | | | | When you hire a private investigator you are |
| child custody issues and often find hiring a private | | | | hiring an expert and judges recognize their level |
| investigator can help them to build child custody | | | | of expertise and will often take their testimony as |
| case and protect the child and themselves. | | | | such. Not just being an expert but also serving as |
| Let's examine some ways hiring a private | | | | a fact witness that the other party will not have. |
| investigator can help you in this stressful time. | | | | Testimony in these custody hearings proves |
| This article applies to the cases when the ex | | | | priceless and should always be regarded as such. |
| won't be amicable toward the other. We will also | | | | The reality is you just can't go at theses stressful |
| offer some advice on the actual exchange which | | | | situations alone and rely on your word against the |
| is beneficial to all persons during the exchange. | | | | ex. The majority of our clients have gone that |
| First and foremost is the safety of you and your | | | | route and find that it is a no win situation for their |
| child. In the United States, more violence is | | | | custody issues. |
| committed against a spouse or ex-spouse then a | | | | Now for some useful tips for exchanges: |
| stranger to another. The rate of domestic | | | | 1. Do the exchange at a fire station parking lot or |
| violence is alarming and it does not end with a | | | | police precinct parking lot. These places have a |
| divorce decree and child custody arrangement. | | | | secure effect to them and the ex typically won't |
| Having a trained expert in close distance is | | | | be more confrontational. If you cannot do an |
| important for protection and has proven its need | | | | exchange in a place such as this, always do the |
| many times over. You can have the extra peace | | | | exchange in a very public and busy location. |
| of mind knowing someone is there that can help | | | | 2. Bring a friend or family member to the |
| to end an escalation of violence. | | | | exchange. You have brought a witness; although |
| Second is the video and/or photographic evidence | | | | they will not always be viewed as unbiased you |
| that can be collected during these exchanges. | | | | have brought a third party to the exchange. Don't |
| When you hire a private investigator they will be | | | | bring a person the ex has had issue in the past |
| in attendance during the exchange of the child and | | | | with you. That is just fuel to a fire. |
| the good ones will videotape the exchange | | | | 3. Always do exchanges in the daytime. Daylight |
| process. Having photographic or video evidence | | | | offers more safety and your sense are keener if |
| proves to be priceless when the custody battle | | | | a violent encounter was to begin. |
| really begins. Having an unbiased person present | | | | 4. Learn some self defense skills. Take some |
| to obtain any potential evidence is extremely | | | | basic classes on safety and how to defend |
| important during these times. If you go to a | | | | yourself in a violent encounter. Defending oneself |
| custody hearing without this evidence, it is your | | | | takes more skill and energy then to attack |
| word against theirs. Often it becomes a he said | | | | another. Taking self defense classes will give you |
| she said situation and most family court judges | | | | the skills and practice you need if the encounter |
| are unwilling to take a side in these cases. | | | | was to happen. |
| Photographic and video evidence is irrefutable. In | | | | 5. Hire a private investigator. For all the reasons in |
| addition to the photographic and video evidence | | | | this article but most importantly you will have a |
| you can obtain audio recordings which places the | | | | person present to help protect you. |
| ex's words for all to hear in a later hearing. | | | | |