Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Broward Private Investigations
1. How much does a private investigator cost in Florida?
The cost depends on the investigation’s objective, complexity, location, urgency, duration, travel requirements, and the number of investigators or specialized resources needed. Broward Private Investigations provides a written, case-specific scope and price before work begins so the client understands the anticipated services and costs.
2. Is the initial consultation free and confidential?
Yes. Broward Private Investigations offers a free, confidential initial consultation. A licensed investigator will listen to your concerns, discuss the result you are seeking, and determine whether an investigation is appropriate. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
3. Is Broward Private Investigations licensed and insured?
Yes. Broward Private Investigations is a licensed and insured Florida private investigative agency. Our Florida Agency License number is A1800135. Florida investigative-agency licenses can be verified through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing.
4. What can a private investigator legally do in Florida?
A licensed investigator may conduct lawful surveillance, interview witnesses, research public and properly authorized records, locate people, document online activity, and gather facts for personal, business, insurance, or legal matters. Investigators do not have police powers and may not trespass, hack accounts, unlawfully intercept communications, impersonate law enforcement, or obtain protected information without legal authority.
5. How does an investigation work from beginning to end?
The process normally begins with a confidential consultation. We then define the objective, recommend an investigative strategy, and provide written engagement terms identifying the scope, deliverables, and price. Once the engagement is finalized, the assigned investigator conducts the authorized work, provides appropriate updates, and prepares the agreed-upon findings and supporting material.
6. How quickly can you begin, and how long will the investigation take?
Timing depends on investigator availability, location, urgency, and the nature of the assignment. Some focused research projects can be completed relatively quickly, while surveillance, missing-person, fraud, asset, corporate, or complex litigation matters may take longer. We provide a realistic estimated timeframe after evaluating the case and promptly identify circumstances that may affect it.
7. How does Broward Private Investigations protect my privacy?
Discretion is central to every assignment. Client identity, communications, and case information are handled under strict confidentiality standards and are not voluntarily disclosed to subjects, spouses, employers, relatives, or other third parties without authorization. Certain disclosures may still be required by law, court order, or other legal obligation.
8. What information should I provide, and what will I receive?
Helpful information may include names, recent photographs, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, vehicle descriptions, known schedules, social-media profiles, relevant documents, prior incidents, and court deadlines. Deliverables depend on the engagement and may include a written report, photographs, video, timelines, verified records, documented observations, or other supporting material.
9. Can a private investigator’s findings be used in court?
Lawfully obtained and properly documented findings may be useful in a legal proceeding. Depending on the assignment, an investigator may prepare reports, preserve photographs or video, document records, and testify about personal observations and investigative work. The judge and applicable rules of evidence ultimately determine admissibility. Clients involved in litigation should coordinate with their attorney.
10. Can you investigate suspected infidelity?
Yes. Broward Private Investigations conducts discreet infidelity and relationship investigations. The work may include lawful surveillance, time-stamped photographs or video, and objective documentation of observed conduct. We report what the evidence establishes, whether or not it confirms the client’s initial concern.
11. Will the person being investigated know about the surveillance?
Our investigators use professional methods and reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of detection. However, no ethical agency can guarantee that a subject will never become aware of surveillance or investigative activity. The strategy is designed to protect client confidentiality and preserve the investigation’s integrity.
12. Can you assist with child-custody or child-welfare concerns?
Yes. An investigation may document conduct relevant to supervision, living conditions, parenting-plan compliance, parental behavior, or a child’s welfare. Investigators gather objective facts; they do not decide custody or provide legal advice. Clients should ask their family-law attorney how the findings may apply to their case.
13. Can you locate a missing person, relative, witness, debtor, or someone avoiding contact?
Yes. We handle missing-person investigations, witness location, family and associate locates, and lawful skip-trace assignments. The available identifying information, reason for the search, urgency, and privacy or safety concerns will determine the appropriate approach. A located person’s private contact information may not always be disclosed when doing so would be unlawful or unsafe.
14. What can background checks, asset searches, and due-diligence investigations uncover?
Depending on the lawful purpose and authorized scope, these investigations may examine criminal and civil records, professional licenses, employment or business history, litigation, real property, vehicles, corporate interests, reputation concerns, and other legally available information. No database is complete, and findings depend on record availability, jurisdiction, permissible purpose, and the subject’s identifiers.
15. Can you investigate social media, online activity, cyber concerns, or a digital footprint?
Yes. Broward Private Investigations provides social-media, open-source intelligence, and cyber-investigation services using lawful research methods. Work may include public online activity, identity resolution, digital-footprint analysis, breach-exposure research, online harassment or stalking leads, and preservation of relevant public content. We do not hack accounts, bypass passwords, or misrepresent unlawful access as investigative work.
16. Can a private investigator obtain phone records, text messages, bank records, or private account information?
A private investigator does not have automatic access to protected telephone, banking, medical, credit, or private-account information. Access depends on the client’s legal authority, consent, permissible purpose, available public records, or lawful legal process. We will not obtain information through hacking, pretexting, theft, or other unlawful methods.
17. Can a private investigator record conversations, use a GPS tracker, or enter private property?
These activities are restricted and depend heavily on consent, ownership, authority, location, and the specific facts. Florida generally protects private communications from interception or recording without the legally required consent, subject to limited exceptions. Investigators may not trespass. GPS or device-location tracking is not automatically lawful simply because someone hires a private investigator. Each proposed method must be evaluated under applicable law.
18. Do you guarantee that you will find proof, locate a person, or discover assets?
No reputable investigator can guarantee a particular finding or outcome. Broward Private Investigations commits to professional effort, lawful methods, discretion, careful documentation, and an honest account of what the investigation establishes—including when the available evidence does not confirm the client’s concern.
19. Can you locate witnesses, serve difficult legal papers, and work with my attorney?
Yes. Depending on the assignment and jurisdiction, Broward Private Investigations may locate witnesses, conduct interviews, assist with litigation fact development, and provide advanced process service for difficult-to-serve parties. Service requirements vary by document and court. When a matter involves active or anticipated litigation, early coordination with counsel helps ensure that the investigation supports the legal strategy.
20. Do you serve all of Florida, and can an out-of-state client hire you for a Florida case?
Yes. Broward Private Investigations serves all 67 Florida counties. An individual, attorney, business, or insurer located outside Florida may retain us for an investigation conducted in Florida, subject to a lawful purpose and completed engagement process. Certain digital and open-source assignments may also extend beyond Florida, depending on the jurisdiction and scope.
Contact Broward Private Investigations
Telephone: 954-235-4955
Email: info@browardprivateinvestigations.com
Office: 1580 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Suite 130, Sunrise, Florida 33323
Website: www.BrowardPrivateInvestigations.com
Florida Agency License: A1800135
