Good litigation is built on facts, and a lot of the facts a case depends on don’t come from discovery. They come from finding the witness who moved, the defendant who won’t be served, or the assets that decide whether a judgment is ever worth anything. That’s the work we do every day for Los Angeles and Orange County law firms.
Here’s how firms typically use a private investigator, and what to send us to get results quickly.
1. Skip tracing and locates
Defendants move. Witnesses change numbers. Heirs, former employees and key parties disappear into new cities and new names. Our skip tracing combines investigator-only databases, public records, social media and field verification to find a current, confirmed address, not just a list of old ones. When a firm needs more than an address, we can also locate witnesses and take statements.
Helpful to send: full name and any aliases, date of birth or approximate age, last known addresses and phone numbers, employer, and any relatives or associates you know of.
2. Asset searches, before and after judgment
Before filing, an asset search helps answer a simple question: if we win, can this defendant pay? After judgment, it’s about finding what can actually be levied or liened. We research real property (including property held through LLCs and trusts), business interests, vehicles and vessels, liens, judgments and litigation history. For post-judgment work, see our judgment debtor asset investigations.
We do this lawfully. Bank account records come through subpoenas and discovery, and our job is to give you the leads that make those subpoenas count.
3. Difficult and evasive service of process
When standard attempts fail, our difficult process service team treats service as an investigation: confirming where the person really lives and works, learning their routine, and handling gated communities, high-security buildings and high-profile individuals discreetly. Every attempt is documented with dates, times and locations, so if you need substituted service or a court order for publication, your declaration of diligence is solid.
4. Surveillance and activity checks
In personal injury, workers’ compensation and insurance matters, surveillance can show whether a claimed injury matches real-world activity. Our investigators produce time-stamped video and detailed logs, and they can testify. Learn more about our insurance fraud investigations.
5. Background research on parties and witnesses
Prior lawsuits, judgments, bankruptcies, criminal history, professional licenses and online presence can all affect strategy, settlement value and how a witness holds up on the stand. We put it together in a clear, organized report.
Why firms keep coming back
- Licensed and accountable: California PI License #188895, with investigators who understand how evidence will be used in court
- Clear reporting: organized, factual reports your team can drop into a file or attach to a declaration
- Responsive: we answer the same business day and give you a realistic plan and cost up front
- Discreet: high-profile and sensitive matters handled quietly
Send us a matter
Tell us what you need found, served or verified, and we’ll tell you how we’d approach it and what it’s likely to take. See our full attorney services, call (310) 310-4884, or email marc@la-undercover.com.
