What to consider when hiring a licensed Private Investigator? Discretion, Experience and Integrity are KEY!

Have you ever wondered what a private investigator actually does? Or who really hires one? You’re in the right place. This guide answers both questions. It also introduces the investigative services Corinthian Group provides across Southern California. We operate under the license AIR – Agency of Investigation Recon (California PI License #26978), and we serve individuals, attorneys, and businesses alike.

This is the first post in an ongoing series. Each month, we’ll publish a new deep-dive on a specific investigative topic. And we’ll link every future post back to this page, so you’ll always have a home base to start from.

What Is a Private Investigator?

A private investigator, or PI, gathers facts and evidence for a client. That client could be a private individual, an attorney, an insurance carrier, or a business. In California, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) licenses and regulates every PI. This state agency falls under the Department of Consumer Affairs, and it enforces Business and Professions Code Chapter 11.3.

So how is a licensed PI different from an unlicensed “information broker”? Here’s what sets us apart:

• We pass a state licensing exam and background check
• We follow California law on privacy, surveillance, and evidence handling
• We produce documentation and testimony that holds up in family court, civil court, and criminal proceedings
• We carry professional liability insurance

Before you hire any investigator in California, verify their license first. You can do that instantly through the BSIS online license search. We always encourage clients to check.

Who Hires a Private Investigator? (And Why)

Private investigation isn’t just for divorce cases in old movies. Real people hire us for real reasons. Take a look at our most common clients, the problems they bring us, and the service that solves each one.

Our Core Specialty: Surveillance Investigations

Surveillance is the heart of what we do at Corinthian Group. Maybe you need to document a parent’s undisclosed household. Or confirm a spouse’s activity. Or catch a fraudulent workers’ comp claim on video. In every case, skilled surveillance builds the same thing: clear, time-stamped, court-ready evidence. Learn more on our Surveillance Investigations page.

Child Custody & Cohabitation Investigations

California family courts take custody violations seriously. But only when solid evidence backs up the claim. That’s where we come in. Our child custody and cohabitation surveillance services help parents in Beverly Hills, Cheviot Hills, Manhattan Beach, Malibu, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, and Del Mar. We gather the documented proof your family law attorney needs to petition the court for a custody modification.

Infidelity Investigations

Suspecting infidelity takes a toll. So does not knowing for sure. That’s why we offer discreet, professional infidelity investigation services throughout Southern California’s most affluent communities, including Laguna Beach, Irvine, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe. Discretion matters most here. So does protecting your reputation. We deliver both.

Workers’ Compensation & Insurance Fraud Investigations

Fraudulent workers’ comp claims cost California employers and insurers billions of dollars every year. Our workers’ compensation and insurance fraud investigations give employers, third-party administrators, and insurance defense attorneys the evidence they need to fight back. We proudly serve the Inland Empire and Riverside County, including Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Rancho Cucamonga, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, Fallbrook, Canyon Lake, Alessandro Heights, and Canyon Crest.

Aerial Surveillance & Drone Reconnaissance

Here’s what sets us apart from most PI firms: our principal investigator holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. That means we can legally fly commercial drones for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. Why does that matter to you? Large properties, agricultural sites, construction zones, and hard-to-reach vantage points all become accessible. Learn more on our Aerial Surveillance & Drone Reconnaissance page, where we also explain how we support other licensed PI firms that need subcontracted drone coverage. You can also review the FAA’s official Part 107 requirements at faa.gov.

Criminal Defense Investigations

A strong criminal defense needs independent investigation. That means locating and interviewing witnesses. It means documenting the scene. And it means reconstructing the timeline with evidence law enforcement may have missed. For criminal defense investigative support in California, visit our Criminal Defense Investigations page.

Why Work With a BSIS-Licensed, FAA-Certified Investigator

An unlicensed investigator can put your entire case at risk. Evidence gathered illegally, or by someone without a license, may not hold up in court. It could even expose you to liability. Corinthian Group operates under AIR – Agency of Investigation Recon, California PI License #26978, registered with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Before you hire us, or anyone else, verify the license through the BSIS license search.

Want to learn more about the profession? These two independent organizations are great places to start:

• California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) — the largest state PI association in the country, with consumer education and a “Find an Investigator” directory
• National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) — the national association representing licensed investigators before Congress and state legislatures

Our Southern California Service Area

We proudly serve Southern California’s most affluent communities, including:

Los Angeles / Westside: Beverly Hills, Cheviot Hills, Manhattan Beach, Malibu Orange County: Laguna Beach, Irvine San Diego County: La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Fallbrook Inland Empire / Riverside County: Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Rancho Cucamonga, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Alessandro Heights, Canyon Crest

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a private investigator legally do in California? A licensed PI can watch and document activity from public locations. We can also review public records and interview willing witnesses. Then we compile everything into documentation for legal proceedings, always within California privacy law.

Is surveillance footage admissible in family court? Often, yes. California family courts regularly admit surveillance evidence when a licensed investigator documents it properly. That said, admissibility depends on how we obtained it and how your attorney presents it. So always loop in your family law attorney early.

How much does a private investigator cost? It depends. Your specific type of case, how may investigators will be required, the duration of the investigation (how many hours and or days), and whether you need aerial support or other important services all affect the cost. The details matter. Investigations and surveillance specifically aren’t a one size fits all service. Most surveillance investigations run on an hourly rate plus an upfront retainer. Contact us for a quote based on your specific case.

Do you work with attorneys and other investigation firms? Yes, often. We regularly support family law attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, and insurance defense counsel. We also partner with other licensed PI agencies that need subcontracted surveillance or FAA-certified drone coverage.

Get Started

Are you facing a custody dispute? Do you suspect infidelity? Are you managing a questionable workers’ comp claim? Or do you simply need aerial documentation? Either way, Corinthian Group can help. We work discreetly, legally, and deliver evidence that stands up. Contact us today to discuss your case confidentially.

Corinthian Group is a registered trade name of AIR – Agency of Investigation Recon, California PI License #26978, licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Our principal investigator also holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

The post What Is a Private Investigator? A Complete Guide to Investigative Services in Southern California appeared first on Corinthian Group.

The post Family Law Investigations: Protecting What Matters Most Through Facts, Evidence, and Professional Investigation appeared first on Corinthian Group.

At Corinthian Group, we understand that judges, attorneys, and parents deserve objective evidence—not speculation.

For more than two decades, our licensed California private investigators have conducted highly sophisticated child custody and cohabitation surveillance investigations throughout California. Our mission is simple: obtain legally gathered, professionally documented evidence that allows family law attorneys and their clients to make informed legal decisions based upon facts.

Experience Matters When Everything Is on the Line

Child custody investigations require far more than following someone with a camera.

Successful family law surveillance requires strategic planning, behavioral analysis, legal awareness, exceptional patience, advanced surveillance techniques, and the ability to remain completely covert under difficult circumstances.

Our investigators have accumulated thousands of hours conducting surveillance operations involving:

Child custody disputes
Parenting time and visitation compliance
Cohabitation investigations
Child support modification matters
Hidden income investigations
Lifestyle verification
Parental fitness investigations
New partner background investigations
High-conflict family law litigation

Every investigation is customized around the specific legal issues presented in your case. No two families are alike, and no investigation should ever follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Supporting Family Law Attorneys with Actionable Intelligence

Experienced family law attorneys recognize that credible evidence often becomes the difference between competing narratives.

Corinthian Group regularly works alongside legal professionals to develop investigative strategies that complement litigation objectives while remaining within California law. Whether preparing for mediation, settlement negotiations, temporary orders, or trial, our investigators focus on gathering evidence that can withstand legal scrutiny.

Our detailed investigative reports are designed to provide attorneys with organized timelines, documented observations, professionally captured photographs, video evidence, and supporting documentation that may assist during case preparation.

Rather than creating unnecessary conflict, professionally gathered evidence frequently helps clarify disputed facts, encourages realistic negotiations, and reduces costly litigation.

Cohabitation Investigations: Verifying Living Arrangements

One of the most common issues in post-divorce litigation involves questions regarding cohabitation.

When a former spouse claims to be living independently while evidence suggests another individual has effectively become a member of the household, significant financial and legal issues may arise.

Our cohabitation investigations are designed to objectively document observable facts, including patterns of residency, overnight stays, shared routines, vehicle usage, household activity, and other legally observable behaviors that may be relevant to your attorney’s legal strategy.

Every investigation is conducted lawfully, ethically, and discreetly.

Serving Affluent Clients Who Demand Absolute Confidentiality

High-net-worth individuals often face unique challenges during family law disputes.

Business executives, physicians, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, entertainers, public officials, and other prominent individuals frequently require an investigative firm capable of operating with exceptional discretion.

Corinthian Group understands the importance of protecting both legal interests and personal reputations.

Our investigators appreciate that privacy is often as valuable as the evidence itself. Every assignment is handled with strict confidentiality, professional communication, and meticulous operational planning designed to minimize unnecessary exposure.

The Value of Professional Surveillance

Professional surveillance is not about invading privacy.

It is about documenting observable facts that may either support—or refute—claims being made during litigation.

In many cases, surveillance benefits all parties involved by:

Confirming that allegations are accurate.
Demonstrating that accusations are unsupported.
Identifying potential safety concerns involving children.
Providing objective documentation instead of conflicting testimony.
Assisting attorneys in evaluating settlement opportunities.
Helping courts make decisions based upon reliable evidence.

Sometimes the greatest value of an investigation is confirming that nothing improper is occurring.

Objective truth benefits everyone.

Technology Combined with Experience

Modern investigations require far more than cameras.

Corinthian Group combines decades of surveillance experience with continually evolving investigative technology and operational techniques to maximize efficiency while maintaining discretion.

Our investigators carefully evaluate each assignment to determine the most effective investigative strategy based upon the legal objectives, anticipated activity patterns, location challenges, and available intelligence.

The result is a comprehensive investigative approach designed to produce clear, professionally documented findings.

Your Child Deserves Facts—Not Assumptions

Few legal matters carry greater emotional weight than determining what serves a child’s best interests.

Whether you are attempting to protect your children from dangerous circumstances or defend yourself against unfounded allegations, professionally gathered evidence can provide clarity during one of life’s most difficult situations.

At Corinthian Group, we believe every family law case deserves an investigation grounded in integrity, professionalism, and objective fact-finding.

If you or your family law attorney require experienced child custody or cohabitation surveillance investigators anywhere in California, contact Corinthian Group to schedule a confidential consultation. Together, we can develop an investigative strategy tailored to the unique circumstances of your case while providing the reliable evidence needed to help your attorney advocate effectively on your behalf.

The post Child Custody & Cohabitation Surveillance: Protecting Children, Preserving Reputations, and Exposing the Truth appeared first on Corinthian Group.