There are a number of cost-effective means to investigate the debtor in order to collect payment as determined by a judgement. This normally results from public information databases for information like driver’s licenses, deeds, telephone records, car registrations, marriage licenses, etc. If the expense is merited, we utilize various investigators to determine the assets available for execution. This cost can run as little as five hundred dollars and as high as three or four thousand dollars. We are careful to analyze each situation before determining if we should hire an investigator.
Our experience has been that the client typically has a great deal of useful information. What kind of car the debtor drives, where they bank, who their girlfriend is, etc. These things are as valuable to us as the database information. We always encourage all clients to keep good records about their customers and debtors because you never know what information may be needed at a later date.