Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
Learn how our licensed investigators locate hidden assets, bank accounts, and financial footprints for divorce, judgment recovery, and due diligence cases. Review our process, legal compliance, and confidentiality standards below.
What types of investigation services do you offer?
We specialize in locating hidden assets and financial intelligence. While our primary focus is on comprehensive asset searches for divorce, judgment recovery, and business due diligence, we also provide:
Background Checks: Deep-dive verification of individuals and entities.
Surveillance Operations: Verify lifestyle inconsistencies with reported income.
Corporate Due Diligence: Investigating mergers, acquisitions, and potential partners.
Digital Forensics: Tracing cryptocurrency and digital footprints.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we are a fully licensed and insured private investigation firm. We adhere strictly to all state and federal regulations regarding privacy and data collection. This ensures that all information we gather is obtained legally and ethically, protecting our clients from liability.
What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the immediate allocation of resources and costs incurred at the start of a case, we do not accept cancellations once an agreement is signed and the investigation has commenced. Our team begins work immediately upon engagement to ensure the fastest possible results, making the process non-refundable at that stage.
How long does a typical investigation take?
Timeframes vary based on the complexity of the case, but we prioritize efficiency:
Basic Asset Search: Typically completed within 3 to 5 business days.
Complex/International Investigations: May take 2 to 4 weeks.
Surveillance: Depends on the subject’s activity level and specific case objectives. We provide an estimated timeline during your initial consultation.
Is everything you discover admissible in court?
Yes. We conduct all investigations with litigation in mind. We strictly adhere to the “chain of custody” and use only legal investigative methods. You will receive a professional, court-ready report detailing our findings, and our investigators are available to testify in court if necessary to support your case.
How do you protect client confidentiality?
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of our business. Your identity and the details of your investigation are stored on encrypted, secure servers. We never share your information with third parties unless compelled by a court order. If you are working with an attorney, our work often falls under the umbrella of attorney work-product privilege.
Will the subject of the investigation investigated?
No. Our investigations are conducted covertly. For asset searches, we utilize “passive” data analysis methods that do not trigger alerts to the subject (unlike a hard credit inquiry). For surveillance, our investigators are trained in stealth tactics to ensure the subject remains unaware of our presence.
Can I remain anonymous when hiring your services?
You can remain anonymous to the subject of the investigation; they will never know who hired us. However, for legal and ethical compliance (Know Your Client standards), hiddenassetsearch.com must verify your identity before accepting a case. We cannot accept anonymous payments or clients for safety reasons.
Can you locate offshore bank accounts?
Yes. We have the capability to identify international banking relationships and offshore assets. However, these investigations are complex and must comply with international privacy laws (such as GDPR) and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). We focus on identifying the existence of these accounts to help your legal team subpoena the records.
Do you need a court order to start an asset search?
No, a court order is not required to search for assets, provided there is a “permissible purpose” for the investigation (such as litigation or judgment recovery). However, once assets are located, you will generally need a court order or judgment to seize or freeze those assets.
Can you find hidden cryptocurrency or Bitcoin wallets?
Yes. We utilize advanced blockchain forensics and digital wallet tracing tools to associate cryptocurrency addresses with individuals. While crypto is “anonymous,” the on-ramps (exchanges) and off-ramps (cashing out) often leave digital footprints that link the wallet to a specific identity.
Can you find assets hidden under a business or LLC?
Yes. A common tactic for hiding assets is placing them in the name of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a shell corporation. We conduct “corporate veil piercing” investigations to map out business affiliations, ensuring that assets hidden behind corporate structures are linked back to the subject.
What information do I need to provide to start an investigation?
To achieve the best results, we need as much starting data as possible. At a minimum, we typically require:
Full Legal Name
Last Known Address
Date of Birth
Helpful but not mandatory: Social Security Number (SSN) or business Tax ID.
What is the difference between a background check and an asset search?
A background check focuses on historical records: criminal history, past addresses, and employment verification. An asset search is a financial investigation focusing on current wealth: identifying real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and business ownership. We often combine both for a complete profile.
How much does a hidden asset investigation cost?
Costs vary based on the depth of the search and the jurisdiction (state vs. international). We typically work on a retainer basis, meaning a deposit is paid upfront, and hourly rates or flat fees are deducted as work is performed. We provide a transparent fee structure during your free consultation so there are no surprises.
Do you guarantee that you will find hidden assets?
No reputable private investigator can guarantee a specific result, as we cannot invent assets if they do not exist. We charge for our professional time, resources, and access to intelligence databases, not the outcome. However, if our exhaustive search reveals no assets, you receive a “Diligent Search Report.” This document is valuable in court to prove that a debtor has no visible means of support despite their lifestyle, which can shift the burden of proof back to them.
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