Private Investigator Blog

News, Tips, and Insights from Chicago’s Top Private Investigation Firm.

Several cubby holes filled with organized manila folders, each labeled alphabetically with letters, possibly used for filing documents or records.

How to Remove Your Info From Public Records: A Step-by-Step Guide

Public records removal involves two separate systems, and mixing them up is why most attempts fail. One system is government records: the deeds, court filings, ...

Person holding a smartphone and looking at the screen while sitting at a wooden table with a coffee cup and black lanyard nearby, appearing thoughtful as if wondering, “is my phone being tracked?”.

Is My Phone Being Tracked? How to Tell Without an App

That feeling that your phone knows too much, or that someone else does, isn’t paranoia. It’s one of the most common questions people bring to ...

A person wearing a smartwatch is seated in a car and starting the vehicle by turning the ignition key on the dashboard, perhaps wondering how to find a GPS tracker on my car for added peace of mind.

How to Find a GPS Tracker on My Car: Where to Look and What to Do

If you have a feeling your car is telling someone else where you go, it makes sense to be concerned. We hear this a lot: ...

Hands typing on a laptop keyboard with a glowing search bar graphic overlayed, set against a blurred outdoor background.

How to Locate Someone by Phone Number: What’s Legal and What Isn’t

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and situation, so always speak with a licensed ...

How to Find Hidden Bank Accounts & Assets Nationwide

How to Locate Hidden Assets: Find Hidden Assets in Divorce and Legal Disputes

You suspect your spouse is hiding money. Or maybe a business partner isn’t being straight with you about the finances. Either way, you need to ...

user looking for hidden information on phone

How to Find Hidden Apps on Any Phone

You picked up your partner’s phone, and something felt off. The home screen looks clean. Too clean. No social apps, no messaging apps, nothing unusual. ...

man following a woman without her noticing

How to Catch a Stalker: What the Law Allows and How a PI Can Help

Stalking can still be underestimated, regardless of the fact it can easily escalate to another form of crime. Statistics suggest that more than 3 million ...

Search Public Records For Free: What You Can (and Can’t) Find Online

Public records, from criminal histories to marriage records, play a crucial role in background checks, court cases, and personal research. Maintained by various levels of ...

How to Find Hidden Cameras in Your Home or Airbnb?

The chance of someone spying on you using hidden cameras is low. Despite CNN reports of people finding hidden cameras in Airbnb accommodations and rental properties, ...

Advanced Background Checks: What You Need To Know About Such Screening

Post Update: The article was updated on December, 2025, and originally published on November 19th, 2020. It has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy ...

Signs of Infidelity: What to Look For (and What to Trust)

A romantic relationship is difficult to navigate, even when everything seems perfect. Add suspicious behavior and the potential for an extramarital affair to the mix, ...

How to Sweep for Bugs: A Beginner’s Guide to Protecting Your Privacy

Do you have concerns about a listening device or recording device being installed in your home or office? Bugs and spy devices are real and sophisticated. ...

How to Win a Child Custody Case in Chicago

Going through a separation is hard enough, let alone having to fight for custody of your children. Not only is it stressful for you, but ...

How Illinois Custody Law Impacts Your Parenting Time Rights

Navigating the complexities of custody law can be overwhelming during a divorce. Understanding your legal rights is the first step toward ensuring the best outcome ...

Executive man being served by a process server

What Is a Process Server and Why Are They Important?

For 40 years, Lawrence Ryan Investigations has been offering a variety of investigation services, including missing persons, corporate investigations, asset searches, and background checks, among ...

Why Do Lawyers Hire Private Investigators?

Many lawyers and firms rely on the information provided by private investigators to put together their cases and represent their clients. But do lawyers hire ...

Can’t Find the Money? Here’s How Asset Search Investigations Work

Does someone owe you money? Did you receive a judgment in your favor? Want to know if your new investor owns the assets they’re offering? ...

How a Father Can Get Full Custody of his Child

How Can a Father Get Full Custody of a Child?

If you’re a man going through a divorce, you have a lot of things on your mind. Dividing up possessions and figuring out who gets ...

How to Root Out Employee Fraud In Your Own Company

The biggest business frauds in U.S. history, Enron, and Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, cost their businesses and shareholders 60 billion dollars each. If one group can ...

How to Detect a Hidden Listening Device in Your Car

Post Update: The article was updated on February 20th, 2025, and originally published on March 18th, 2021. It has been completely revamped and updated for ...

How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost?: All the Details You Need

Editor’s Note: The article was updated on February 3rd, 2025, and originally published on September 17th, 2018. It has been completely revamped and updated for ...

How to Prove Cohabitation in Illinois: All You Need to Know to Stop Alimony

Post Update: The article was updated on January 20th, 2025, and originally published on June 25th, 2020. It has been completely revamped and updated for ...

How To Know Someone Is Married or Divorced

How Can You Find Out if Someone Is Married? Discover Accurate and Reliable Methods

Post Update: The article was updated on January 14th, 2025, and originally published on March 28th, 2019. It has been completely revamped and updated for ...

How to Find Your Biological Father: Step-by-Step Guide

Paternal absence is more common than you might think. According to The Fatherhood Organization, the United States is suffering an absentee father crisis. Over 18 ...

Find out if your Spouse is on dating sites

Learn How To Find Out If Your Spouse Is On A Dating Site

Post Update: The article was updated on December 12th, 2024, and originally published on September 13th, 2018. It has been completely revamped and updated for ...

Person wearing a green sweater using a smartphone.

Are Your Calls Private? Here’s How to See If Your Phone Is Tapped

In today’s digital age, phone privacy is more important than ever. With our lives deeply intertwined with our cell phones, the idea that someone might ...

Close-up of a US hundred-dollar bill with a torn piece of paper labeled "DEBT" covering Benjamin Franklin's mouth.

Debt Recovery 101: What Can You Do Legally If Someone Owes You Money

Debt recovery can be a daunting task, especially when someone owes you money and refuses to pay. Understanding your legal options is crucial in such ...

A hand holding a ruler measures a stack of wooden blocks with the letters "R-I-S-K" spelled out vertically.

Why Choose Private Investigators for Your Risk Assessment Services

Risk assessment is the process of identifying, analyzing, and responding to risk factors that could potentially impact an organization’s operations and objectives. It involves understanding ...

A dome-shaped security camera mounted on a wall, angled downward for surveillance. The background shows part of a building structure.

Behind the Lens: Cutting-Edge Covert Surveillance Techniques

Covert surveillance is an essential tool for modern investigations, providing critical intelligence for a variety of cases, from fraud investigations to corporate espionage. With advancements ...

A close-up of a hand holding a pen, signing a document labeled "adoption" on a wooden surface.

Adoption Private Investigator: Guiding Your Journey to Reconnection

Are you curious about how private investigators can be a pivotal part of the emotional journey of tracing biological families or verifying the details provided ...

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A Look Back: How Far Back Do Employee Background Checks Go?

Background checks are a cornerstone of the hiring process, ensuring businesses make informed decisions about whom they welcome into their organizations. They help verify the ...

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How Private Investigators Uncover Executive Phishing Scams

Executive phishing, a subset of cybercrime, targets high-level executives to steal sensitive information or manipulate them into authorizing fraudulent financial transactions. This type of phishing ...

A conceptual image of family law with wooden figures representing a family, a gavel, and scales of justice on a desk with a person in the background.

Protect Your Parental Rights: What Can Be Used Against You in a Custody Battle

In the emotionally charged landscape of family law, custody battles represent some of the most heart-wrenching and legally complex disputes. For every parent embroiled in ...

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How Professional Trial Preparation Services Strengthen Your Legal Strategy

"Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of preparing for trial? Many legal teams find themselves stretched thin during this crucial phase. This blog post ...

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The Impact of Divorce Investigations by Private Investigators

Divorce is not just a legal procedure; it’s a complex journey through emotional turmoil and legal intricacies that can deeply affect individuals and families. The ...

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Know Your Professional Past: How to Find Your Work History

Understanding your work history isn’t just about recalling past jobs; it’s key to unlocking future career opportunities. Whether you’re a job seeker checking details for ...

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The Critical Role of Private Investigators in Bullying Investigations

Bullying is a harmful behavior marked by an imbalance of power and intent to cause distress, manifesting in physical, verbal, or electronic forms. It significantly ...

Understanding the Role of a Sexual Harassment and Abuse Investigator

Sexual harassment in the workplace remains a significant issue, with over one-third of the 90,000 charges received by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ...

Digital Dangers: The Critical Role of Electronic Harassment Investigators

The digital age has witnessed a significant rise in electronic harassment, with the proliferation of electronic devices and online interactions fueling activities like cyberstalking, unsolicited ...

How to Avoid Identity Theft with Proven Identity Theft Tactics

Identity theft has become an increasingly prevalent and sophisticated crime in recent years. According to a Javelin Strategy & Research report, 42 million people were ...

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Heirship Search: The Importance of Locating Missing Heirs

In a world where fortunes change hands and legacies are passed down through generations, the search for missing heirs stands as a testament to the ...

Depressed Frustrated Asian Woman Blogger Suffering from Cyberbullying Haters Mockery via Smartphone

Unmasking Cyberbullies: A Private Investigator’s Guide to Prevention

In the vast digital landscape of the 21st century, cyberbullying has emerged as a pervasive and detrimental social issue. Cyberbullying refers to the deliberate use ...

Intellectual property law about copyright on desk

How Private Investigators Aid IP Theft Cases

Intellectual property (IP) theft has serious tangible consequences. The US has suffered economic damage exceeding 1.2 trillion dollars due to criminal copyright infringement and other ...

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Exploring Online Investigations in the Digital Age

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of a private investigator has transformed dramatically. Gone are the days of trench coats and magnifying glasses; ...

Understanding The Role of a PI: Can a Private Investigator Serve Papers?

In the labyrinth of legal procedures and courtroom dramas, there exists a lesser-known but indispensable aspect that plays a pivotal role in ensuring the due ...

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Finding the Best Public Records Search Sites

There are many legitimate reasons for an individual to perform a public record search. You might be concerned about your family’s well-being or want to ...

Is Public Records Search Legit? How to Tell a Real Site from a Scam

You typed a name into a public records site, and now you’re staring at a screen asking for your credit card. Before you enter it, ...

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10 Effective Strategies to Find a Runaway Teenager

Did you know that around 9% of teens run away each year? There are many complex reasons why teens run away from home. The National ...

Solving the Unsolvable: The Challenges and Rewards of Cold Case Investigations

A cold case is a criminal investigation that remains unsolved for an extended period of time, often years or even decades. These cases can be ...

How Workers’ Compensation Investigations Work and What They Look For

Worker’s compensation is a type of insurance that provides financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their job. ...

6 Most Common Scams on Dating Sites and How to Avoid Them

Nowadays, people live hectic lives and don’t have enough time to find a partner for a romantic relationship. Many people find themselves busy with their ...

How Does a PI Conduct an Infringement Investigation

PIs can Help Businesses Conduct Infringement Investigations Infringement investigators usually focus on trademark and brand violations of a company. Finding evidence that proves infringements is ...

How to Locate a Person: A Real Investigation

Discover How To Locate An Individual Locating an individual is one of the most challenging missions a private investigator takes on. Especially when the individual ...

A Step by Step Guide on Reporting Financial Fraud

Financial fraud crimes are one of those things you hear about all the time but don’t think can happen to you. It’s a severe issue, ...

How To Catch a Cheating Spouse Using Technology

Are you seeing behavioral signs of a cheating spouse, or do you suspect that your significant other is cheating but have no actual proof? What ...

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Nanny

A Comprehensive Guide to Nanny Background Checks

Table of Contents What is a nanny background check? What information is included in a background check? What do you need to know before hiring ...

What Is a Digital Forensic Investigator And Can They Help You?

Being a digital forensic investigator doesn’t require you to be an eccentric cybersecurity genius. You don’t need to be a programmer or a hacker. It ...

Best Options for a Cell Phone Records Investigations

Cell phone records are an extensive list that includes a person’s incoming and outgoing calls, usually accompanied by details such as the call’s duration and ...

Illinois Background Check: Everything You Need to Know for Best Results

Background checks are an important piece of the puzzle of an applicant’s identity. They help an employer avoid negligent hiring, defamation lawsuits, workplace violence, theft, ...

How a Private Investigator Work is Conducted

All You Need to Know About Private Investigators Any first encounter with a contemporary private investigator is never as thrilling as one might expect. This ...

Cheating Wife Surveillance: What Not to Do

Cheating spouses are sadly more common than you would think. According to Compare Camp, 20% of married couples in the United States have encountered infidelity. That number ...

Steps for Proving Cohabitation to Stop Alimony

Divorce is not as simple as signing a legal document. This legal process leads to other sets of agreements, child support, legal responsibilities, and other ...

Ultimate Guide: How to Do a Background Check on Someone You Are Dating

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 12, 2018, and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. According to the ...

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Know What Can a Private Investigator Do and Not Do

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 15th, 2017, and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Private detectives’ and ...

What Is the Best Background Check Website for Reliable Background Checks & Screening?

Doing background screening online seems like an easy and reliable option, but is this really so? While some websites streamline the process, others are far ...

Is TruthFinder Legit, or Should You Avoid It?

With so many background check websites luring users with false promises and useless search reports. It’s only natural to ask yourself if TruthFinder is legit, ...

What is the Role of a Computer Forensics Investigator?

A relatively new field, digital forensics is the answer to the progress of technology and the crime determined by this progress. Digital crime is correlated ...

10 Tips on How to Protect Your Money in a Divorce

Divorces are emotional and complicated matters, and no one ever seems to be entirely prepared for them. However, protecting your money and assets in case ...

How do private detectives get background information?

If there is one thing private detectives are known for is being very good at gathering information. It’s basically their primary mission, regardless of their ...

How Collecting Evidence for Child Custody Can Help You

A private investigator can play a pivotal role in a divorce case, especially if it involves a child custody battle. In these circumstances, people hire ...

How to Serve Papers To Someone You Can´r Find

Everything on How to Serve Papers to Someone You Can’t Find

When a plaintiff files legal action against a defendant, they must serve them a copy of the claim to notify them of the legal proceedings. ...

Types of Lawsuits and What It Means If You Take Part in One

Discover 7 Types of Lawsuits And What Your Involvement Means Lawsuits are a part of life. Nobody actually likes to be a part in a ...

Learn How to Protect Your Phone from Being Hacked

Keep Your Smartphone Safe From Being Hacked The digital world is a wonderland for hackers. A hacker can be defined as an individual who searches ...

What Is Judgement Recovery and Why It Matters

What Is Judgment Recovery and How To Use It In Your Favor Not many “civilians” know what is a judgment recovery and, unfortunately for them, ...

What Are Social Media Investigations?

In the age of social media, when people choose to expose their lives on online social channels, they are providing vital data points for a ...

How cell phone data extraction works?

How Cell Data Extraction Works and How It Can Help Your Case Your mobile devices can be an infinite source of information for those working ...

What Is Digital Forensics and How It Can Solve a Case

Pretty much every detective show on TV includes digital forensics in the script. Whether the digital forensic expert is a nerd or an extravagant genius, ...

What Information Is Considered By a Judge in a Divorce Case

Judges are a critical player in any divorce case. It’s vital to prepare yourself when appearing in court to present your case. Many times, a ...

How to Protect Yourself Offline

7 Ways You Can Protect Yourself Offline Your security depends on how aware you are of the risks you’re exposing yourself daily. The two major ...

Effective Divorce Investigations

Learn All About Divorce Investigations With This Case Study Our company deals with many aspects of divorce investigations, so we have the resources to provide ...

How Do Private Investigators Track You Using GPS and Other Devices?

How Important Are GPS Devices For Private Investigators? The private investigation industry has been around since the 1800s, when Allan Pinkerton founded the Pinkerton’s National ...

Understanding Workers Compensation Fraud Investigation

Private Investigators Uncover Worker’s Compensation Fraud Insurance fraud investigation is a common mission for private investigators. People get very creative when committing fraud, so private ...

Insurance Fraud Investigations and 6 Ways They Can Happen

Learn All About What Is A Fraud Investigation Insurance fraud happens more often than you might think. As a matter of fact, insurance fraud is ...

How to Skip Trace Someone to Learn Their Location

Learn How To Skip Trace Someone Are you looking for someone? Need a current, accurate address? What are your options, and do they work? If ...

How Private Investigators Uncover Truth in Various Types of Fraud Investigation

Are you concerned about fraud impacting your business or personal life? Understanding the different **types of fraud investigation** is the first step in protecting yourself. ...

5 Reasons Free Background Checks Are Useless

Five Reasons Criminal Background Checks Are Useless Have you ever wondered why some websites provide free background checks but there are still people who prefer ...

What is a Skip Trace, and How Are They Used?

Article Summary Skip Traces What is a Skip Trace What Skip Traces Involve What can a Skip Trace Find Background Checks What is a background ...

Effective Methods: How to Serve Papers to Someone

You’ve been SERVED! Relax. You’re not being sued, this was just to get your attention. But it doesn’t feel good thinking you have to defend yourself ...

5 Custody Battle Tips for When Fighting Is Your Only Option

Are you about to enter into a messy custody battle? You’re not alone. About 40% – 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce which means ...

4 Reasons Why You Need to Run a Background Check On Someone

Ever Considered Running a Background Check On Someone? Have you started dating someone new? Are you looking for new people to join your company? Whatever ...

5 Tips on How to Hire a Private Investigator

Do you have a sinking suspicion that your lover is cheating on you? Do you have a business partner who may not be completely honest ...

How to Do a Background Check on Prospective Employees

Finding the right employee to fill a need at your company can be a time-consuming, challenging process. And though many candidates might seem perfect on ...

5 Tips on How to Find Birth Parents

Everyone loves a good origin story. In 2017, DNA ancestry tests exploded in popularity. Moreover, three million people are currently subscribed to the genealogy website, Ancestry.com. But for ...

How to Cope When Your Husband Cheats

Useful tips for dealing with a cheating husband If you suspect that your husband is cheating on you, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated ...

3 Ways Private Investigating Firms Help Attorneys

Learn what private investigators can do for attorneys. In 2017, attorneys nationwide processed over 300,000 cases. The crime rate continues to soar in many cities. ...

Notable Corporate Crimes Examples and Their Impact

Corporate scandals are constantly in the news. Bribery, fraud, negligence and sexual harassment were some of the biggest corporate crimes in the news last year. ...

Can You Take a Child Out of State During a Custody Battle? How to Handle It

Do you want to take your kids on vacation while still battling an ongoing legal battle with your ex? There are certain precautions you need ...

Key Steps: How to Serve Legal Papers in Illinois

Many people go out of their way to avoid being served legal documents. This is why it is important to hire a professional process server. ...

Comprehensive Guide to Illinois Surveillance Laws

For people who are unfamiliar with the nuances of the law, it can be shocking to see how difficult it is to prove something that’s ...

5 Reasons You May Need to Hire a Fraud Investigator

When and why you need to hire a Fraud Investigator Many people think of a private investigator as a gumshoe searching for clues like Sherlock ...

How Infidelity Surveillance Can Affect Your Divorce

How Infidelity Surveillance Can Affect Your Divorce Case Are you going through a divorce and suspect your spouse is cheating? Divorces can be a tough ...

What to Know About Child Custody Investigations

Divorce can be tough on the whole family, particularly your children. Splitting with your spouse likely causes you pain, but there’s nothing as painful as ...

4 Divorce Causes You Wouldn’t Expect

Everyone knows a couple that seemed perfect but ended up getting divorced. Unfortunately, divorce statistics in the United States remain high. There are many reasons ...

Everything on How Fraud Detection with Machine Learning Works

Fraud cost U.S. businesses close to $50 billion in 2016 alone. Even worse, fraud is often difficult to identify. Concerns about in-house fraud erode trust ...

Top Secure Messaging Apps for Privacy Protection

As we move towards the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, technology is constantly evolving. This is true for technology held by ...

5 Tips to Keep Your Divorce Cost Low

The emotional toll a separation and divorce takes on a family can be devastating. It can also place a huge amount of financial burden on ...

How Technology Is Changing How to Find a Missing Person

The Transformative Effect of Technology on Investigations Technology has transformed practically every aspect of life from how we communicate with each other to the way ...

Fraud Case Study: Kickback Scheme Defrauds Company

Hundreds of Thousands in Kickbacks Defrauds Company Elaborate kickback scheme defrauds multi-national of hundreds of thousands of dollars. An Asian multi-national manufacturer contacted us regarding ...

Understanding Facebook Stalking: A Beginner’s Guide

Few technological innovations have proven to be quite as revolutionary as social media. Now, people are no longer confined to communicating with those in their ...

Single or divorced woman alone missing a boyfriend

How to Find an Estranged Spouse

While 90% of people in the US get married before the age of 50, about 50% of those marriages eventually fail. Marriages fail for a ...

Woman catching his boyfriend who is using his mobile

What NOT to Do When Catching a Cheater

If you suspect that your spouse is cheating, you might feel the urge to do something. You’re not sure what you should do, how you ...

How to Identify Signs Your Husband Is Cheating

If you suspect your spouse is cheating, he probably is. This unfortunate truth can be chalked up to woman’s intuition or just following your gut, ...

Expert Insights on How to Avoid Catfishing

Developing friendships and relationships online can be risky business. The effortlessness of creating social media handles, new email accounts, and dating profiles, makes it easier ...

Employment Screening Trends for Both Employers and Employees

Employment Screening Trends Have Changed Gone are the days when employers simply took employees for their word regarding skill and background when making hiring decisions. ...

Using Social media in child custody cases

The Risks of Losing Custody Due to Social Media

Social media has changed the way that many people communicate, for better, or for worse. All too often, people use social media accounts to communicate ...

Risk Management 101: Protecting Your Business

Risk is an intricate part of every business and thankfully, it does not always lead down a path to failure. But when a business fails ...

Fast Facts: Phishing Fraud and How to Avoid Being Scammed

156 million. This is the number of phishing emails that are sent out every single day. Promising tech support, alerting customers of unusual sign-in activity, ...

Upcoming Law Conferences in Chicago

With the legal industry in constant flux, it’s critical to understand the latest changes and trends, and how to stay ahead of them. Attending the ...

Critical Steps to Protect Yourself on Social Media

Follow these steps to protect your privacy on social media. What if someone hacked your Facebook, Twitter, or any of your social media accounts? The ...

11 Easy Ways to Protect Your Privacy

The world has become a small village with all these interconnections, social media, and other new technologies that have made privacy become just a word. ...

Solutions Provided by Investigators for Law Firms

Behind every case is a person gathering relative information that gives a lawyer a competitive advantage. Many times that person is a law firm investigator, ...

How do you know if a business partner is stealing

How do you know if business partner is stealing?

The business world can be extremely cut-throat and competitive. You should be careful who you do business with. Wouldn’t you want to know if a ...

how to find a missing person in chicago, ill

Best Way to Find a Missing Person

Let’s face it, Chicago is a HUGE city. According to Wikipedia, the entire Chicago area has over 9,500,000 people. Whether you live in Oak Lawn ...

what to look in a process server company

Process Server Companies and What To Look For

Key points for reviewing process server companies. When you need to serve court papers on someone to appear in court, there are several options. The ...

3 Things That Result In A Successful Investigation

Before you hire a private investigator to help with your case, it is important that you know three things that will help in a successful ...