EAGLE’S POINT INVESTIGATIONS, INC.
Results Driven, Client Focused Investigations, Certified Process Service and Legal Support
P. 772-
F. 772.770.1841
© 2012 Eagle’s Point Investigations, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Investigations FAQ’S
When should I hire a private investigator?
You should hire a private investigator when you have a need to find out the facts of any given situation,need evidence for court or are simply looking for peace of mind.
How much does it cost to hire an investigator?
Before an investigation is begun, a case plan is established based on the circumstances and individual needs of the client. A budget can then be prepared and a retainer fee determined. All cases require a retainer fee paid in advance. Generally speaking, background checks, criminal histories, records searches, witness locating and missing persons are billed on a flat fee basis with the cost depending on the information provided to us and the information requested by you. Surveillance is billed at an hourly rate plus mileage. All private investigation agencies are required by the state of Florida to collect sales tax on their services per Chapter 212.05 of the Florida Statutes. Payment may be made by credit card, cash, check or money order.
How soon can you start work on my case?
We appreciate having 24 (or more) hours notice, however it is often possible to start sooner than that. In the case of surveillance, proper planning is essential to a successful execution. If at all possible, do not wait until the last moment to contact us. All cases require a signed retainer agreement, a signed hold harmless agreement and paid retainer prior to initializing the investigation.
What information should I provide for a surveillance investigation?
A photo and/or a physical description of the subject, home/work addresses, work schedule, vehicle information, driving habits, any third party information (if suspected), places they like to frequent, times they are most likely to be active and any other information that you feel might be helpful to the investigation.
Who will find out that I hired you?
All of our investigations are 100% confidential, as are our clients. No one will know that you hired us unless you tell them. We recommend that you don’t tell anyone that you hired a private investigator until the case is completed so as not to compromise the investigation.
Is it legal to follow someone?
Surveillance of a person is legal when it is conducted by a licensed investigator retained for the purpose of performing surveillance for a legitimate legal purpose.
Will the surveillance subject find out they are being watched?
We do everything necessary to insure that the investigation is not compromised
by the subject discovering that they are being watched. If we perceive that the subject
is suspicious at all, we will immediately back off and re-
Do you ever lose the subject during surveillance?
Unfortunately, yes. There are certain environmental factors that cannot be controlled during surveillance, such as heavy traffic, traffic lights and the weather. We will not endanger the life of another person or ourselves by driving recklessly in order to avoid losing a subject. That being said, an experienced surveillance investigator knows how to “read” the traffic lights and anticipate in advance where he should be positioned in the flow of traffic. He also knows the protocol to follow in the event he loses a subject, that may assist him in picking the subject back up.
How many investigators will be used?
The number of investigators used depends on the individual circumstances of the case. If it is a simple assignment in which the subject is being followed from home or work one investigator is usually adequate. If the assignment is more complicated, two investigators may be warranted. We recommend that a second investigator be used if the subject is an aggressive driver, is very alert to his surroundings, or if he has previously had an investigator follow him.
What information do I need to locate someone?
The more information you have, the less costly it will be for you to have us find someone. Ideally, you should have the subject’s full name, date of birth, social security number and a last known address in the last two years. At a minimum you should have the subject’s name and one of the other identifying pieces of information. Please note that we are responsible to inform the missing person that someone is trying to locate him or her. It isn’t until both parties agree that there is no intent of harm that we will release any personal information (except in the case of abduction, and the location of a witness, a fugitive or a party to a civil or criminal action.)
Where are you located?
Our corporate office is located in Vero Beach, Florida. A large volume of the surveillance and investigative work we do is concentrated on the Treasure Coast, the Palm Beaches and central Florida, however we conduct investigations throughout the state of Florida
I would like to take advantage of your offer. Do I need to come to your office?
No. Consultations may be conducted over the phone or in person, which ever you prefer. If you would like a consultation in person and it is inconvenient for you to come to us we are glad to meet you at a mutually agreed upon location.
Do I need to come to your office if I decide to retain your services?
No. Everything can be done over the telephone and through fax or email. If you would like to meet in person and it is inconvenient for you to come to us we are glad to meet you at a mutually agreed upon location.
What are your office hours?
To insure the confidentiality of our clients and to protect their privacy, our office hours are by appointment only. We do our best to accommodate your schedule and will gladly set evening or weekend appointments for your convenience.
What if I did not find the answer to my question here?
Please contact us. We are happy to talk with you confidentially and answer any questions you might have about your specific situation. We are dedicated to helping you find the solution that works best for you. If we don’t offer the service you need or we aren’t able to help you we will refer you to the appropriate person or agency.
Process Service FAQ’s
What are your fees for process service?
Our fees vary depending on how soon you need the papers served. Please contact our office for pricing.
When does turn around time start?
Turn around time starts when we receive the documents that are to be served. We guarantee when the first service attempt will be made. While we make every effort to effect service on the first attempt, we CANNOT guarantee that that will happen. It may take several attempts on our part before a party is served (our service includes unlimited attempts), due to them not being home, not answering the door or avoiding us. However, we will communicate with you proactively, so you always know the status of your serve.
What is “Personal Service”?
When the documents must be delivered / served to ONLY one particuliar person.
What is Sub-
When the documents can be delivered / served to either a “Registered Agent” or another person at the given location.
What court will my case be filed in?
Cases involving less than $5000 are filed in small claims court. Cases involving more than $5000 but less than $15,000 are filed in county court. Cases involving more than $15,000 are filed in circuit court.
Who is the $10 fee per summons to be issued in State Court payable to?
Checks are made payable to “Clerk of Courts”.
What is the required filing fee amount?
The filing fee amount varies by state and type of case. You will need to call the court where your case will take place and they will tell you.
Do I need to include a witness fee check if I am only requesting documents, and not requesting the individual to appear in court?
No.
What is the witness fee cost?
The witness fee cost varies by the type of case. Federal Court is a $40 flat rate
plus .35 cents per mile and Florida State Court is a $5 flat rate plus .06 cents
per mile. These fees apply unless the witness resides in the same county that he
is being requested to appear. In that case the fee is a flat rate of $7.50 for State
Court and $45 for Federal Court. Non-
Who is the witness fee check payable to?
The witness fee check is payable to the person being served.
How do I calculate the witness fee mileage?
Go to MapQuest or Google Maps. In the directions setting input the addrss of the person being served in the starting location. In the ending location put the address of the court where they are going to appear. Then click on “Get Directions”. It will list the total estimated distance. Multiply the total estimated distanceby the rate per mile the court demands.
How does the court know that the papers have been served?
We prepare a “Return of Service” attesting to the fact that the party in question has been duly served, the date and time that we received the papers, the date and time the papers were served, the manner of service, the name of the person on whom it was served, and if the person served was in a representative capacity, the position occupied by that person. The original “Return of Service” is filed at the courthouse where the case originated and a copy is returned to you.
How is the served process returned to me?
We return all served process to you via US Mail. If you need it faster please include $5.00 (2 day) for priority mail. Documents requiring overnight delivery by UPS or FEDEX will incur that fee in addition to the service requested.
Public Records Research & Retrieval FAQ’S
What are your fees for public records research and retrieval?
Our fees vary depending on how soon you need the research completed, what and how many court indexes and counties we are searching. We charge by the number of names searched/per index searched/per county searched. Name variations are searched at no additional cost.
What is a name variation?
Name variations include the same name with alternate spellings, the same name with or without the middle initial, or a given name versus a possible nickname, such as Robert and Bob. A person’s married name is NOT a variation of their maiden name.
What information do you need to conduct a public records search?
We need to know the type of record; what county(s) to search; what time period to search; the subject’s full name; any subject identifiers (address, date of birth, middle name, spouse); what copies you require and if the copies need to be certified as true copies by the court.
How soon will the search be completed?
Our normal turn around time is 24 – 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays when the courts are closed. Expedited service is available at an additional fee.
How are the search results and document copies returned to me?
The search results and documents may be returned to you via US Mail, FAX or email whichever you prefer.
If you did not find the answer to your question here please do not hesitate to contact us. We are available to provide service to you.
EAGLE’S POINT INVESTIGATIONS, INC.
5976 20th Street, #158 |Vero Beach, Florida 32966
Phone: 772.567.9198 |FAX: 772.770.1841
Email: Investigations@EaglesPI.com
License #A2500160
What?
Why?
When?
Where?
How?
Florida private investigators specializing in surveillance, infidelity, child custody, cohabitation, missing persons, adoption search, background screenings, asset searches, criminal and civil records, insurance fraud, disability and workers compensation claims.