If you predict that your divorce is not one of those that will sail through without a hitch, you probably have some trust issues with your marriage. Divorce needs to be a time of coming clean and full disclosure so that good decisions can be made about child custody and support and marital financial matters. If you have reason to believe that your spouse is ready to be less than forthcoming, read on and find out why a private investigator might be key to having a successful divorce.

Are private investigators really needed?

Most people naturally associate private eyes with cheating spouses. Interestingly enough, there isn't that much of a need for proving that a spouse has been unfaithful. The advent of no-fault divorce provides most with a divorce where property, financial, and other matters are decided not by fault but by the way that state looks at financial matters. In community property states, the debts and assets are split down the middle. In equitable distribution states, they're assigned to the person who is most associated with it (for debts) and divided equally (for assets). You might still want confirmation that your spouse is cheating on you before you proceed with the divorce, however. There are several other issues that can be resolved more readily with the input of a private investigator.

How can a private eye help me?

If you and your spouse have a lot of assets and you don't trust them to be honest, a private investigator can dig in to financial matters and locate hidden assets. For example, if you suspect your spouse has more income than they are revealing to you, a private eye can trace financial affairs such as a hidden rental property, gambling winnings, income from side jobs or businesses, or other assets. If you have reason to show that your spouse makes a poor custodial parent, a private eye can reveal less-than-ideal interactions between them and your child. Additionally, private eyes can detect criminal and substance abuse activities and more, which can be key to keeping your child safe after a divorce.

Tips on hiring and using a private investigator

Take a look at the following information to help you make the most of your money when using a private eye:

1. Your divorce lawyer might be willing to bill you later for private eye services or include it with your legal fees. In most cases, however, it's an extra cost that is not included in with most legal representation agreements.

2. Divorce lawyers often know several good private investigators they can refer you to.

3. Be sure to ask them about licensing, experience on the job, and what the fee includes. For example, some will charge you by the hour or provide you with a certain number of days of surveillance for a set price.

4. Make sure the investigator understands the nature of the information you wish to obtain. For example, if you need information about your spouse's interactions with your children, let them know that.

To find out more about using an investigator to help you confirm some important divorce facts, speak to your divorce lawyer.