YOUNG INVESTIGATION FIRM

The purpose of this section is to educate our clients in the fine art of hiring the right private investigator for an assignment.  To that end, the client will find that we ask a lot of questions.  We don't make assumptions or judgments about our clients. We look for the facts which are substantiated by evidence; however, sometimes the evidence is difficult to find.  Candid answers to our questions will hopefully lead us down the right path, so it is incumbent on our client to be as forthright, direct and honest when we ask a question.

• Who is the subject of this investigation?
• What is the purpose of this investigation?
• When is the investigation to take place?
• Where is the investigation going to take place?
• How is the investigation to be conducted?

The answers to these questions can either make the cost of the investigation reasonable or quite pricey.  The answers could determine the actual success or failure of the case.  We go over as many details as it takes to get to the point where we can meet your expectations.  The final question the client should ask is "How much experience do you have in this area of work?"  It doesn't matter how much surveillance work an investigator has had when the assignment calls for a computer and internet investigation to be done.  

Once a meeting has been set, the client and investigator(s) discuss, in detail, the questions from the Education and Information section.   Once the retainer agreement and fees have been paid, the investigation work begins. Most people do not understand the time it takes an investigator to plan and prepare for any case.   We have to open a file and make notations as necessary to document what is being done on your behalf. After we determine the types of searches to be conducted, we have to go out to verify the information. This does not happen in a vacuum; it takes training and experience to make sense out of something that makes no sense to most people.

Most client complaints are the direct result of a failure to communicate between the client and investigator. This failure to be "on the same page" often creates more work to be done by the investigator which subsequently results in a higher fee.  Investigators do not look into crystal balls for evidence and they don't read minds. You must tell the investigator what you want to accomplish before you pay any money.  He/she should write down exactly what is expected of of the investigator and the related costs.  At Young Investigation Firm this process is done each time an individual or business wants to retain us.

With most attorneys, a letter of understanding is either mailed or faxed specifying what we are expected to do.  They, in turn, provide us with all of the information they have on the subject.

Fees for investigation work are based on two  things: Cost of performing the job and time to conduct the investigation. Typical costs include gasoline, cell phone charges, long distance charges, costs of running computer searches, copying costs and report preparation.  Time charges are based on quarter hours.  Our minimum fee is  two hours.  Our minimum rate per hour is $50.00, again depending on the type of investigation. Costs are detailed on your billing statement as well as time.  Our client is kept abreast of the fees charged on a daily or weekly basis depending on the type of investigation. Those fees are deducted from the retainer.  Of course, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.  We offer Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit cards for your convenience.

• Witness Searches and Interviewing-Sometimes witnesses to an accident or some other event do not want to be found or over time have moved from their previously known address.  We find them. Sometimes these people, for one reason or another, will not come in to talk to an attorney.  We interview them for you.
• Skip Tracing-Does someone owe you money?  Have they disappeared with something you own?  We find them.
• Background Investigations-When in doubt, check him/her out.  Don't be a statistic.  This goes for individuals and businesses.  The price for checking is far less than the damage someone can do to your personal or business reputation.
• Pre-employent Investigations-How many times have you said "I should have checked him/her out?"
• Criminal Defense-Sex crimes, homicide and other criminal offenses. We work with attorneys only.
• Civil Litigation-Auto accidents, personal injury actions, insurance fraud and many others.
• Deadbeat Parents-Many defendants feel like the justice system is unfair, but that is not an  excuse for bucking the system.  Some judicial systems offer custodial parents services to locate these people.  Far too often, by the time they find someone, they are already gone.  The key here is not to waste valuable time in locating these people.  Many people are fearful that if they go looking for the deadbeat parent they will be harmed in some way. It happens but it is rare. 
• Locate Family-The primary objective is to find family for health reasons. Clients want to know the medical histories of a mother or father especially in adoption matters.  There are certain guidelines to be followed in these types of investigations.
• Locate Lost Friends/Loves-The Locator on television always finds his subject and in record time of thirty minutes.  Isn't that amazing?  The reality is that it takes time, patience, skill and a lot of luck to find people.  Most of the"do-it-yourself" books and some websites that tell you what to do are satisfactory in some situations.  What if the person you are looking for doesn't want to be "found?"  They could sue for invasion of privacy or some other action. They may not win but the cost to defend such an action could break the bank.  At Young Investigation Firm we are professional and respectful in our mission.