It’s a nightmare. You suspect your spouse is cheating, your life is turned upside down and you want to know the truth. Your personal and financial future hang in the balance, and you’ve wisely decided against trying to get proof yourself or by getting friends and family involved. Or perhaps you have realized your spouse or ex is exposing your child(ren) to unhealthy situations and you know you need proof. After all, you telling the judge you’re the better parent won’t get you very far, since virtually every parent believes the very same thing. A professional investigator is the way to go, but how do you decide on one? A quick internet or phone book search reveals dozens of private detective companies in your area. It’s crucial that you find one that provides quality work at a fair price, who will be there for you if your case goes to trial months or even years later. It will take some time to gather information to make a wise choice, so take a deep breath and promise yourself that you will not make a hasty decision.

If you have an attorney, or know attorneys who handle family court cases, call and ask for a referral to an investigator they have used in the past. A referral from an attorney or other legal professional is a strong indication of quality, but by no means should you simply hire the first firm you are referred to. The vast majority of professional detective companies have invested in a good quality website that provides a wide range of information. Use your favorite search engine to search for firms in your area, and take some time to look through the sites you find.

Ask yourself these questions:

Overall, what impression do you get from their site? Compile a list of three or more firms you feel the most confident about.

Make a call to each of the companies and ask a few preliminary questions, such as:

Find out if the company offers a free initial consultation. Ask yourself whether each person you talk to is compassionate, professional and knowledgeable. Most likely, your impressions from the website will be consistent with your impressions from the phone conversations. If not, go back and look through more sites and repeat the process until you have no less than two companies you would like to interview, and call for appointments.

When you arrive for your meeting, look for indications that the firm is well-established, professional and reputable. A clean, well-maintained office, small or large, is a sign that the owner is willing to invest in the company and is financially stable. Ensure that the company is licensed, if required by your state. Look for signs that the company and/or its employees are involved in the community. Memberships in the Better Business Bureau, local Chambers of Commerce, Professional Associations and civic groups are a good indication of the firm’s commitment to quality business practices and professional development.

Assess the people you meet as you would any professionals:

Make notes during and after your meeting.