Matrimonials

Matrimonial cases - divorce cases - are generally considered the lowest form of occupation in the hierarchy of private investigating. The public eyes the divorce investigator as a sleazy person sneaking around corners, peeping through keyholes, and taking pictures of illicit activities. This opinion is more the result of sensationalist journalism and tabloid newspapers than reality. There are laws controlling the private investigator's activities - that which an investigator can and cannot do - and no investigator with any degree of decency will violate those laws in return for the most often meager fee.

These cases are unreliable in that the client is generally highly emotional when an investigator is hired. The information provided often is not verifiable, and often tainted as a result of the client's emotional state. The other major problem with the average matrimonial case is that if a suitable retainer, that is, one large enough to more than cover the projected time and expenses of the case, is not obtained, it is unlikely the investigator will get paid for the work after it is completed. The typical client is not happy with the information obtained by the investigator, and the client will 'kill the messenger' by not paying the fee honestly due.

However, there are some matrimonials which would fall into the major category with a client financially secure enough to afford the experienced investigator. This client will pay a suitable retainer, detach himself/herself from the operation of the case so that the investigator can do the work required, and put money into an escrow account to be drawn on by the investigator when a final report of activities is delivered.

One such case in personal history began as an extensive assignment to observe the activities of a particular woman 24 hours a day for seven days. The client was a substantial person in that he was the Chief of Security for a major international airline. In other words, a person who could provide a suitable retainer, and who was detached from the subject of the case, and able to pay the considerable fee when the case was completed. Such cases are far and few between, but they do come along sometimes for the investigator lucky enough to receive them.