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Why should I hire a private investigator?
A licensed private investigator can provide quality, court-admissible evidence and back it up with expert court testimony. Observations by a third party not involved have more merit in court. In some situations, attempting to acquire evidence yourself could endanger you or your family. The investigators at BLI are trained, experienced, discreet professionals who know how to get the most useful evidence. Some forms of evidence are only court-admissible if handled by a licensed private investigator.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we are licensed in the States of New Jersey and New York and have full liability insurance.
What are the steps to hire a private investigator?
First, you will have a consultation either on the phone, by email, or in person, whichever you are most comfortable with. The purpose of the consultation is to discuss your concerns, review the specifics of your case, and identify your overarching goal. Make sure you are 100% truthful with the investigator. The most successful cases are those where the agency and the client work hand in hand. We will explain the investigative process, identify possible outcomes, and outline the services and costs that would be required to achieve your goal. Some topics discussed:
- Legality
- Manageability
- Cost effectiveness
- Realistic and achievable expectations
Then, we will prepare a contract for service for you to review and sign.
Who will be handling my case?
Your initial consultation will be with the owner of the agency, Bari Kroll. Depending on the complexity of the case and the details provided, Bari Kroll may choose to handle the case herself or will assign an appropriate investigator with the talents necessary to achieve your answers. During the course of our investigation, we consider:
- Are we operating under the principles of integrity, accountability and confidentiality?
- Are we pursuing our client’s objective?
- Is the information/evidence we are gathering relevant and helpful to our client?
- Are we managing our time and our client’s budget wisely?
Are telephone calls and the initial consultation confidential?
Yes. All communications between BLI and the client, written or verbal, are held in strict confidence.
How much does it cost to hire a private investigator?
The cost of your investigation will depend on the type of investigation and the amount of time and resources required. Our fees are based on an hourly rate and expenses. During your consultation, we will give you an estimate of the cost based on the information we receive from you. A retainer will be required before the investigation can commence.
What is a retainer?
A retainer is a deposit that we bill against. We do not require the entire amount of the estimated cost of the investigation upfront, but we do require a portion of the anticipated cost in the form of a retainer. We bill against the retainer and when the retainer falls below a predetermined level, and you authorize that the investigation continue, you will then be required to replenish the retainer for the original amount. When the investigation is complete, or if you choose to stop at any time during the investigation, any remaining retainer amount will be refunded promptly.
Can you guarantee the outcome of an investigation?
It would be inappropriate for an investigator to guarantee the outcome of any case. Private investigators are hired to gather information using their training, experience and network of resources in an attempt to verify information or suspicions that a client may have concerning certain circumstances. What we can guarantee is that we will do our best to achieve the desired results in an accurate and timely manner.
