When to Use a Private Investigator in a Child Support Case

Some child support cases require locating a paying parent, documenting lifestyle evidence of hidden income, or serving process on someone who is evading service. A licensed private investigator can help with all of these.

What a PI Can Do

A PI can: locate the paying parent’s current address and employer, document lifestyle evidence (vehicle, home, visible assets) that contradicts claimed income, serve legal process on a paying parent who is evading service, and gather evidence of asset transfers to related parties. PI evidence is generally admissible in California family court.

PI costs can be recovered as part of enforcement costs in some circumstances. Courts that find contempt or that award attorney fees in enforcement cases sometimes include enforcement costs — including investigation costs — in the award. Custodial parents who document their enforcement costs carefully may be able to recover them. Keep all receipts and invoices related to your enforcement efforts.

The California Child Support Recovery System gives custodial parents the exact tools and templates to enforce support orders, calculate arrears, and use every enforcement mechanism available. Request your free evaluation here.