7 Ways a PI Can Help your Family Law Case

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7 Ways a Private Investigator Can Help with Your Family Law 7 Ways Private Investigator Can Help with Your Family Law CaseCase

Ask A PI Show Video “7 Ways a PI Can Help with Your Family Law Case”

When your children’s future and your financial well-being are on the line, you need peace of mind.  Preparing for and going through a divorce can be a daunting and confusing experience.

This is especially true if you don’t trust that your spouse is being honest.

An attorney experienced in family law matters can be an invaluable resource, but in order for your attorney to represent you effectively, he or she will need to know the full situation in order to get you the best possible resolution.

To answer some of these questions, your attorney might suggest hiring a private investigator to help.

Most people know that private investigators can document infidelity, but what else can they do to help you in your family law case?

Here are 7 ways a private investigator can help with your family law case.

1)    Infidelity Surveillance

2)    Cohabitation Investigations

3)    GPS Tracking

4)    Computer Forensics (iPhone, iPad, Laptops, Computers, Smart Phones)

5)    Violations of Child Custody Agreements

6)    Social Media Investigations & Preservation

7)    Asset & Background Research

The role of a private investigator in a family law case is to verify any information that you have so that it can be admissible in court.

There are many more ways a private investigator can help with your family law case. Consult with an experienced private investigator who works with family lawyers on their clients and see what they suggest to help you develop a creative and ethical investigation plan to get you what you need.

 

Additional Resources:

Divorce / Separation Checklist (Technology & Tracking) – 8 Things You Can Do to Secure Your Technology for Peace of Mind

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What is the future of Intellectual Property Law?

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What is the future of Intellectual Property Law?

In a recent episode of Entrepreneurship Answered (link below), an IP Attorney asks Gary Vanderchuck about the future of Intellectual Property Law.

I think his response is spot on. In today’s fast paced business environment, creators and innovators have access to capital and tools that previously were not available 10 years ago. They no longer need to work for Intel or IBM to work on projects. They can create something in their garage and get funding through crowdsourcing or investors. Then they can quickly go to market and get visibility via social media.

The IP attorneys that can counsel these types of individuals have an opportunity to really themselves apart. It doesn’t make sense for the big firm IP attorneys to take the time to help small companies and start-ups with limited resources. If the smaller firm IP attorneys want to help these blossoming businesses, there will be no end to the amount of work they will have.

Now, on the investigation side, we are seeing that brand owners, inventors and those that want to file for trademarks are smaller companies and entrepreneurs. They are looking for business advice along with a tutorial on IP rules and laws. They have an idea for a product or service and want to go to market.

What these people are interested in is protecting their new ideas from others. It becomes even more crucial for investigators to perform due diligence on finding the actual date of first use, not just the one listed on the USPTO website.

Basically, this boom of entrepreneurs will be a win-win for investigators, attorneys, and the entrepreneurs themselves in the long run.

If you want to know the legal speak behind trademark law and infringement, this video by Peter McDermott is an excellent guide.

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Times When You Will Benefit From an Asset Search

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Let’s face it. There are times when people can be secretive and decide to hide some of their financial assets. It might be they are trying to keep someone from accessing the funds or trying to make it seem like they have never existed. Finding hidden assets is challenging, depending on the person’s skill level. When you suspect someone might have hidden assets, you need a professional to locate them and determine the value. Here are some times when you need a professional assets search.

Divorce Proceedings

If your spouse always kept financial control of the household or has started claiming a lack of assets now that you have filed for divorce, it is time to let a professional look for any hidden money reserves or real assets like investment properties. If your spouse contemplated divorce for months or even years before leaving, they might have spent a long time hiding money you are entitled to in a settlement.

Lawsuit

If you have been injured in an accident and plan to sue the other party, you need to know if they have any assets that make it worth your time to sue. When the insurance companies have paid the maximum benefits, you need to decide if the other person has the funds to pay a settlement. In cases like this, the liable party will want to appear as poor as possible to negotiate a smaller settlement.

Potential Investments

If you are considering making an investment in a company or going into business with another person, you need to have a complete picture of their finances and assets. In many instances, the company or person might try to make it seem like they have a lot more than they actually do.

When the time comes to have an asset search done, Santoni Investigations & Backgrounds has all the skills needed to provide you with a detailed picture of anyone’s financial health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Reasons to Use a Private Investigator in Chicago for Infidelity Surveillance

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Reasons to Use a Private Investigator in Chicago for Infidelity SurveillanceReasons to Use a Private Investigator in Chicago for Infidelity Surveillance

There are many reasons why you might think your spouse or significant other is being unfaithful to you. It might be a feeling you have or a number of unexplained phone calls or texts. Either way, it is eating you up. There is no need to go it alone or simply accuse the other person. A private investigator in Chicago can provide you with top-notch infidelity surveillance. Here are some reasons to turn this problem over to a professional.

Proof You Can Use in Court

If you find your spouse is cheating on you, a private investigator will conduct a detailed surveillance on them. The investigator will provide you with more than dates and names. They will ensure you have the proof you need to take the other person to court to get a better settlement in a divorce case.

Care and Compassion

Your investigator knows this is a difficult time for you. They will take all the time needed to listen to all of your concerns and offer you the services you need to take care of the problem. This professional will be compassionate during the investigation, and in the way they present their findings to you.

Confidentiality

There is a possibility that you could be wrong. When hiring a private investigator for infidelity surveillance, you get complete confidentiality. No one ever needs to know about your suspicions or the investigation. This is a lot better than getting friends and family involved. Even if the surveillance turns up positive proof, you get to decide whether or not to use the information.

At Santoni Investigations & Backgrounds, you are our first concern. We will take the time to conduct a thorough investigation and present the findings in a compassionate way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you at this difficult time.

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INTA 2015 Takeaways

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The INTA annual meeting which was held in San Diego set some records.  The last time the meeting was held in San Diego back in 2005 there were 7,000 registrants.  This year they had over 9,300 registrants.  The landmark B&B case “B&B Hardware vs. Hargis Industries” which will impact many corporate legal departments as well as the expanding domain name industry namely gTLDs were the big topics at the INTA Annual meeting this year.

The setup at this years meeting was ideal.  The close proximity of the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding hotels, restaurants and attractions made it easy for the registrants to get to meetings, roundtables, events and receptions.

INTA 2015 Takeaways

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The Secret to Success of Trademark Investigations

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The Secret to Success of Trademark Investigations

Trademark InvestigationsThe Secret to Success of Trademark Investigations

Who would think that shopping at Guess would be confused with shopping at Gucci, but that is what resulted in a $4.66 million lawsuit filed by Gucci against the populist retailer, Guess.

A U.S. district court judge decided Gucci was indeed entitled to damages, claiming that Guess “Gucci-ized”  its products and infringed on Gucci’s trademark.

At the heart of the matter, trademarks of names, logos, jingles, slogans words or symbols are what separates identities worth billions of dollars. An innocent mistake or blatant infringement can cause irreparable damage to a company or individual. Investigating such an incident is critical to the brand’s survival in this highly competitive and technologically connected world we live in today.

Coming to close to another businesses name or using similar packaging, symbol or even a service in the same marketplace can cross the line of trademark infringement.

The success of trademark investigations rests heavily on the skills of the investigators.

Creating a New Trademark or Logo

Just when you think everything is all in place for your new business, there is the proverbial “knock on the door” that you have infringed on another companies trademark or logo.

This is not a small problem. Even if you back off immediately, the money that went into stationery, advertising and product development can cause a significant set back. A little work upfront could have prevented the problem.

Why Hire a Professional

It would seem it should be easy enough to find out if a name, symbol or logo is already being used just by searching on the Internet? Possibly, if you know where to go and what to look for. A trademark search is not simply keying in a name to a search engine and see what comes up.

Before you spend money on letterhead, cards, advertising and product development, it makes sense you are navigating in friendly water.

A thorough trademark search will investigate any similar federally registered marks and those that are still pending. It will check which marks have been cancelled or expired.

Trademark investigations research numerous sources of unregistered or similar users of certain marks, brand names and the trade names that are currently registered.

This kind of information won’t come up on a simple web search. For more information regarding trademark investigation, contact us today.

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Is your Spouse Hiding Assets? Signs Asset Searches could be Needed

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It’s not uncommon for one spouse to begin hiding assets whenever he or she is contemplating a divorce. Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that will alert you to this possibility. Here are some signs that indicate asset searches might be needed.

Secretive and Controlling

A person who is hiding assets may become secretive and controlling when it comes to financial matters, and may:

  • Insist on having complete control of banking and financial information
  • Have business expenses that he or she claims have not been reimbursed by an employer
  • Claim that a hard drive containing financial information has suddenly crashed
  • Have a cell phone or post office box that you are unaware of

A partner who is being controlling or secretive may react angrily when questioned about financial affairs. He or she may also try to put pressure on you to sign paperwork or complete certain deals.

Decrease in Income

Spouses who are hiding assets may suddenly claim to have a decrease in income, even though his or her spending habits do not reflect this. There may also be claims that a business is failing or that certain assets are depreciating in value.

Loaned Money

A common tactic used to hide assets is to “loan” money to a friend or family member. Your spouse may claim that person failed to pay the money back, when it is actually being held until after the divorce is final.

If your spouse is exhibiting one or more of these behaviors, the reason could be because he or she is hiding assets. Should a divorce ensue, this could greatly affect your settlement, which is why you should contact us for help in getting the settlement you deserve.

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Fighting insurance fraud with private investigation

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Fighting insurance fraud with private investigation

Insurance FraudFighting insurance fraud with private investigation

There are many domains of application for private investigation. In each one of them, private investigators are hired to shed light on matters arousing suspicions from at least one party. This article is written from the perspective of insurance companies and explains how private investigation can be used to fight insurance fraud.

How Fraud Occurs

Because fraud is a rampant problem in our society, insurance firms need to protect themselves against policyholders who are always trying to gain access to the benefits to which they aren’t normally entitled. For instance, if a policyholder is covered for a list of accidents related to work but contracts an injury while at home, then they may try to file a fraudulent claim to avoid spending their own money. Another example is when an insured person exaggerates on an injury report to maximize their insurance benefits.

Deterring fraud

As you might know, insurance claims must be submitted along with several documents substantiating the financial request of the policyholder. For example, after a work-related injury the employee will undergo medical examinations and use the reports generated to submit a claim to their insurer. Once the claim has been submitted, the insurer will review it and assess its legitimacy. What may raise suspicions on the claim is the amount requested, especially if it seems to be disproportionate compared to the injury itself. This is usually going to trigger a private investigation, and ultimately the filing of a lawsuit by the insurer’s attorney.

Investigating the claim

The goal of the private investigation will be to gather evidence strengthening the suspicion that the claim is fraudulent. The private investigator will have at their disposal a number of tools to complete their mission such as placing the claimant under surveillance. For example, if the policyholder claimed that their injury prevents them from performing any kind of physical activity but is spotted lifting objects in their backyard, the investigator will know that the claim is a scheme.

Get legal assistance

Fraudulent claims are considered crimes nationwide. This means that there are specific legal sanctions for those who are found guilty of such schemes. Every time that a fraudulent claim is uncovered, the insurer needs to contact a lawyer who will make sure that the fraudster gets punished to the fullest extent of the law.

If you’re an insurer and believe that you’re being victim of fraud, please contact us today and we’ll help you prepare a solid fraud investigation case.

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Is Infidelity Surveillance Right for You?

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Infidelity Surveillance

Infidelity is an unfortunate reality for many people. It is one of the most destructive things that  take place in a relationship. Trust is one of the most important foundations for a relationship to function properly.  Suspicion of infidelity is often  just as destructive as infidelity itself. Believing your partner has broken the bond of trust causes much chaos within a relationship. It is important to know, without a doubt if your partner is cheating. If you discover that your partner is not stepping-out on the relationship, you have peace of mind and are able to relax. If you find out that your partner is cheating, you have the proof and ability to make a clear decision about the future of your relationship. Infidelity surveillance may be the best option for your situation. Here are a few ways to know if it is right for you.

Evaluate how your suspicions are affecting your life. Are you constantly worried and anxious? Do you stay awake at night thinking about the possible infidelity? Are you treating your partner as if he or she is cheating? Is your relationship strained due to your suspicion? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes” then it is time to consider some type of surveillance. Doubting if your partner is faithful causes huge levels of stress. If this stress is interfering with your life, you should seriously consider surveillance so that you can know for sure what is happening.

The next thing to look at is your available time. How much time do you have available to devote to finding out what your partner is doing? Most people have a career and a life to live. There is not a lot of free time to spend playing detective. If your time is limited, hiring a professional is the best option. Professional surveillance takes the responsibility out of your hands and they devote their time to getting answers for you. A good professional will be discreet and keep your information anonymous. Your partner will never know they have been watched, unless you choose to tell them.

The last thing to consider is the evidence you already have. Something has given you reason to believe your partner is cheating. Take a close look at the facts. Sometimes it is helpful to get an objective viewpoint. Present your evidence to a trusted friend or professional and let them be the judge. Also, trust your own instincts. If you have a “hunch”, take this seriously. After evaluating all of the facts and listening to your own intuition, consider whether your suspicions appear valid. If they do, then infidelity surveillance is likely  right for you.

The bottom line is that there is no substitute for knowing. Having the facts will unlock the mystery and allow you to have peace of mind. Knowing what is really going on gives you the freedom to  make relationship decisions based on facts. There is simply no substitute for the truth.

Contact us for more information.

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Worldwide Study Reveals the Need for Professional Infidelity Surveillance

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Infidelity Surveillance

Two studies by Condom manufacturer Durex, The Sexual Wellbeing Survey and Face of Global Sex study, which were overseen by Harris Interactive, provide fascinating facts and figures about sexuality and infidelity all over the world.  For both studies, the condom manufacturer conducted interviews with over 29,000 people in 36 countries. Although the survey covered a wide variety of issues concerning sexuality, the results for questions relating to infidelity are the most eye-opening.

Of the 36 countries surveyed, Nigeria ranked the highest for both male and female cheating. The United States was not far behind, at eighth of 36. The survey found that 10 to 15{2f3748b5ca5ab0ef62f1154c571df9c56b0d52fa28ba96fa4f869e5919b9e929} of American women and 20 to 25{2f3748b5ca5ab0ef62f1154c571df9c56b0d52fa28ba96fa4f869e5919b9e929} of American men are unfaithful at least once in their lives. Other studies, conducted in the United States from 1980 through the mid-2000’s report similar findings: about 25{2f3748b5ca5ab0ef62f1154c571df9c56b0d52fa28ba96fa4f869e5919b9e929} of Americans in committed relationships report that they have cheated.

Many observers believe that the advent of the Internet and the expansion of new means of communication like texting have led to an increase in infidelity, by making it easier to conduct secret conversations. But the same is true about new equipment and infidelity surveillance: an ever-expanding array of new technologies make it easier for professionals to discreetly ascertain whether a partner is being unfaithful and if so, whether he or she is also hiding assets.

Though many who suspect an affair begin by downloading various apps that provide information about a spouse’s online habits, professional investigators have access to high-end technology plus expertise in professional surveillance that those who fear the worst about a partner need. Many of our clients contact us after using some form of at-home surveillance. Their suspicions raised, they turn to professional investigators, who can conduct a thorough inquiry and provide confirmation and hard evidence.

The next major study of sexuality and infidelity around the world is scheduled to be conducted by the end of the decade. It remains to be seen whether infidelity rates will rise and, if so, how technology will keep up with increasing unfaithfulness.

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