FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hiring a private investigator for the first time can feel unfamiliar, but the process is straightforward and confidential. At GRI Investigative Group, we begin with a consultation to understand your needs and goals. We’ll explain the scope of work, timelines, and costs involved, so you know what to expect. Once retained, we keep you updated throughout the investigation while maintaining strict discretion and professionalism. Whether you're dealing with a legal matter, family concern, or need surveillance or research, we tailor our approach to deliver clear, factual results you can rely on.

We are a licensed and insured California private investigations agency, licensed by the Bureau of Security & Investigative services since 2012. Our team is comprised of investigative professionals with extensive law enforcement experience in surveillance operations and investigations. All of our investigative professionals are licensed and authorized to conduct investigations in their respective states.

Most of our services are billed on an hourly basis from a retainer. Rates vary depending on the complexity of the investigation and the expertise required. Each investigation is unique, so pricing will be tailored to the specific needs of your case. To get an accurate estimate for your case, contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. We’ll assess your needs and provide a detailed investigative pricing plan that works for you.

Yes, we offer fixed rates for certain types of services. These are typically for tasks that have a clearly defined scope and require a predictable amount of time and resources such as background checks, asset searches and service of process. For more complex investigations—such as civil litigation investigations, divorce/family law, or criminal defense—our work is usually billed hourly due to the unpredictable nature of these cases. However, we always provide an estimate during the consultation and keep clients informed about costs throughout the investigation.

Our agency does not typically handle infidelity cases, unless its part of a domestic case we are already working on. We focus exclusively on civil litigation, criminal defense, and family law cases, where our expertise has the most significant legal and investigative impact. While we don’t handle these cases, we can guide you toward qualified professionals who specialize in these types of investigations. Additionally, in California evidence from these types of cases usually cannot be used in a divorce proceeding because California is considered a "No-Fault" state.

A skip trace is the process of locating a person whose whereabouts are unknown, often used for legal, financial, or investigative purposes, such as locating debtors, witnesses, or missing persons. We will not locate any person without a legitimate legal purpose. We require clients to demonstrate that their request aligns with legal and ethical standards before conducting a skip trace. This protects both the client and our agency from liability.

In California, placing a GPS tracker, Airtag, or other trackers on a car without the owner's consent is illegal. California law (Penal Code § 637.7) prohibits the use of tracking devices on vehicles without the permission of the vehicle owner or without a legal order (such as a court order or law enforcement authorization). Violating this law can result in criminal stalking charges and civil penalties for invasion of privacy. Always consult with an attorney or legal expert to ensure compliance with all applicable laws before using a GPS tracker in any investigation.

In most cases, it is illegal to obtain or search for someone’s bank account information without their explicit consent or a court order. Accessing this information without proper authorization violates privacy laws, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and other financial privacy regulations. Private investigators can conduct legal asset searches, which may help locate hidden assets by examining public records, such as property deeds or liens and investigating financial patterns or connections. However, these searches do not include unauthorized access to private bank accounts.

Following someone without proper authority, licensing or a valid reason can violate California's stalking, harassment, and privacy laws. Only licensed private investigators or law enforcement officers conducting lawful investigations are permitted to follow individuals under specific conditions. Private investigators are trained professionals licensed by the state to conduct surveillance and other investigative activities within legal boundaries. They also can testify in court about their investigative findings.

It depends on the type of investigation or assignment. Some family law cases require continuous surveillance to obtain evidence over weeks at a time. Some cases such as backgrounds can take a few days. Once we discuss your case we can give you an accurate estimate on the time it will take to finish your investigation.

California is a two-party consent state under Penal Code § 632. This means all parties in a confidential conversation must give consent before recording. Recording without consent is illegal and can result in criminal charges and civil liability. A conversation is considered confidential if at least one participant reasonably expects it to be private, such as phone calls or in-person discussions in non-public settings.