Cohabitation & Spousal Support Investigations

Our licensed private investigators have a wide variety of skills and diverse backgrounds. With 25+ years of experience, we have an excellent track record of providing high quality investigation services. From start to finish, our knowledgeable, discreet, and detail oriented staff goes above and beyond to manage your expectations, remain 100% confidential and update you daily as events unfold on your case. 

We rely on the best investigative technology and techniques, and comply with the industry’s leading standards for surveillance, locating, record search, and process services. 

Still paying spousal support to an ex who has moved in with someone new? In California, evidence that a supported spouse is living with a new partner can be grounds to ask the court to reduce or end support. LA Undercover documents cohabitation and changes in financial circumstances for paying spouses and the family law attorneys who represent them.

Why Cohabitation Matters in California

Under California Family Code section 4323, there is a rebuttable presumption that a supported party’s need for support has decreased if they are cohabiting with a nonmarital partner. The court looks at the facts, so the strength of your evidence matters. Courts want to see a real pattern, not a single overnight visit. Your attorney will advise you on the law; our job is to give them the facts to work with.

What We Document

• Overnight stays and how often they happen, with time-stamped video
• The partner’s vehicles at the residence over days and weeks
• Where the partner receives mail, is registered to vote and lists as their address
• Shared activities: grocery shopping, errands, school drop-offs, travel together
• Social media posts and public records showing a shared household
• Signs of undisclosed income, a new job, or financial support from the partner

Hidden Income and Changed Circumstances

Support is based on income and need. If your former spouse is working for cash, running a side business, or living a lifestyle that doesn’t match what they’ve reported to the court, we can investigate employment, business ownership, property and assets. Our Asset Searches are often paired with cohabitation surveillance.

How a Cohabitation Investigation Works

1. Case evaluation. We review the support order, what you already know and your attorney’s goals, then recommend a plan and budget.

2. Activity check and research. We confirm both residences, identify the partner and their vehicles, and research records to establish a timeline.

3. Strategic surveillance. Rather than random days, we focus surveillance on the times most likely to show a shared household, such as late nights and early mornings over several weeks.

4. Court-ready report. You and your attorney receive a detailed report with video and photos, and our investigators are available to testify.

Why LA Undercover

• Licensed California private investigators (CA PI #188895), 25+ years of experience
• Extensive experience in divorce, custody and family law surveillance
• We work directly with family law attorneys throughout Los Angeles and Orange County
• Discreet: the person being investigated doesn’t know we’re there

Related: Divorce & Marital Investigations · Child Custody Investigations

Where to Begin 

We are here to assist you in answering questions you may have during this difficult time in you life.  To begin please call, email or submit a request form below.

Serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Ventura County, Sacramento County, and others upon request