F.A.Q.

At Francis & Associates Inc., we have a longstanding commitment to providing complimentary consultations. We understand the value of offering this service, and we are pleased to inform you that consultations can be arranged either in person at our office or conveniently conducted over the phone. Regardless of your preferred method, we assure you that we will thoroughly discuss your requirements and present you with a comprehensive range of options to successfully accomplish your objectives.

Like many reputable private investigation firms, our rates are flexible and tailored to the specific nature of your investigation. We strive to remain competitive within the industry and ensure transparency by avoiding any hidden charges. Moreover, we are proud to inform you that we do not impose fees for phone updates, reports, or video preparation.

Recognizing that each case is unique, we are committed to accommodating a variety of budgets that align with the specific requirements of your situation. We encourage you to reach out to our office directly for a confidential consultation, free of charge. During this consultation, we will delve into the details of your case, allowing us to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the services required. Together, we can determine a budget that is both affordable and suitable for your specific needs.

To ensure clarity and transparency, all our investigation cases operate on a retainer system, which is paid by the client. Upon accepting your case, we will promptly send you a retainer invoice, which must be settled prior to initiating any investigative work. This invoice will provide a detailed breakdown of the services covered by the retainer, effectively eliminating any ambiguity regarding the services included.

It’s important to note that there may be instances where certain services or tasks are deemed unnecessary or unfeasible at a later stage. In such cases, the corresponding service area on the invoice will be substituted and allocated towards another requested task within the investigation. This way, we optimize the utilization of resources and ensure that the retainer is effectively applied.

If the client requires additional investigative tasks beyond the initially agreed-upon scope, a separate retainer invoice will be issued, clearly specifying the additional tasks. Payment for these additional tasks must be made prior to commencing any further work.

We take pride in simplifying our invoicing process to provide our clients with a straightforward and transparent experience.

We are unable to carry out surveillance on individuals against whom you have either filed a protective order or who have filed a protective order against you. If, during the course of our investigation, we discover that you have a current or previous stalking charge, we are prohibited from conducting surveillance on your behalf.

Additionally, we cannot conduct locate investigations without a valid legal reason for acquiring information about a person’s new location. Prior to commencing any locate investigation, we conduct a thorough record search to ascertain if any protective orders have been filed by either party involved.

It is important to note that we do not engage in locating individuals from past relationships, as such a request does not constitute a lawful reason for obtaining their new address.

In family court cases, we prefer collaborating with your attorney, if you have one, as it helps demonstrate the impartiality that the courts seek in such matters. Additionally, your attorney can guide us by providing the specific objectives or requirements they would like to address, ensuring that the gathered information can be effectively utilized in your court case.

If you do not have legal representation for your case, we encourage you to contact us so that we can explore your available options. During our conversation, it is crucial to inform us of any protective orders filed by either party. Please note that if there are any current protective orders in place, we are unable to conduct surveillance on your behalf due to legal restrictions.

We value open communication and collaboration with legal professionals or clients representing themselves, always striving to work within the parameters set by the court and the applicable laws.

To ensure prompt and effective investigative efforts, we kindly request that you provide our office with all available information pertaining to the individual in question when assigning us an investigation. Any information you may already possess will assist us in initiating the investigative process promptly. However, if there are details that you do not have readily available, we will take the necessary steps during our initial case preparation to obtain the required information.

In addition to basic details, such as the individual’s name and personal information, it would greatly benefit our investigation if you could provide us with any known schedules, including work schedules, and if applicable, any known vehicle information. Moreover, if you have any available pictures of the individual, they would be invaluable in assisting our investigation.

By sharing as much information as possible, we can commence the investigation swiftly and increase the chances of achieving a successful outcome. Rest assured, we handle all information provided to us with the utmost confidentiality and professionalism.

In adherence to our professional standards, we generally refrain from taking on cases that have previously been handled by other private investigation companies. The rationale behind this approach is rooted in the fact that the industry is populated with numerous investigation firms that may offer services outside their area of expertise or lack the necessary experience. It is essential to acknowledge that prior investigation companies may have compromised the integrity of the case, leading to potential risks such as exposure or engaging in unethical practices. Consequently, we prioritize avoiding the complications and legal issues associated with inheriting the mistakes of previous firms. By adhering to this policy, we strive to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ensure the utmost dedication to the success and integrity of our investigations.

Our investigators undergo comprehensive privacy training on a quarterly basis, ensuring their adherence to strict standards. In response to your inquiry, I can confirm that we are legally able to acquire video footage of subjects within certain areas. It is important to note that the expectation of privacy is typically non-existent within establishments such as hotels or casinos. These locations are commonly recognized for their extensive video surveillance systems, where cameras diligently monitor activities throughout the premises. In fact, in some areas, signs may even be posted to inform individuals who may be unaware of the constant monitoring.

The assigned investigator handling your case will ensure frequent updates are provided to you throughout the day or as per your requested update schedule, which can be determined at the onset of the case. These updates will be conveniently delivered through voice, text, or email based on your preferred mode of communication as our valued client.

Most states require private investigators to be licensed to practice. In the State of Nevada, the State of Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board requires licenses for licensees and their investigative staff.

To verify a license in the State of Nevada, visit the State of Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board.

We do not provide electronic surveillance services for any situations. Engaging in such activities is deemed unethical and can have a significantly adverse impact on the outcome of an investigation. It is worth noting that recent legal developments, effective from July 1, 2023, establish that individuals found guilty of placing tracking devices on vehicles will face misdemeanor charges for the first offense and gross misdemeanor charges for subsequent offenses.

Furthermore, apart from the legal implications, there are several civil statutes that can detrimentally influence the case’s outcome, potentially leading to substantial monetary damages as well.

As part of our agency policy, we have decided not to collaborate with press releases or news outlets. This decision is based on the fact that we do not possess any control over their actions or the ultimate outcome of their work.