Should I hire a private detective?
There are three reasons people generally consider utilizing the services of a detective in their divorce case: to discover assets, to do a background check and to conduct surveillance. The first two reasons listed can now often be done utilizing online databases instead of the services of a P.I. which can potentially save money. With regard to surveillance, a good private investigator can be invaluable in the case, particularly if fault (e.g. adultery, addition to drugs or alcohol, etc.) is an issue.
I won't get into the distinction of fault grounds vs. no fault grounds in this post (that's a subject I'll deal with more extensively in a post of its own), but Alabama does consider fault in making determinations related to the property settlement and to alimony. Of course, in a contested custody case, a parent's conduct is also important. So, there are reasons that this evidence can be extremely valuable. For example, having evidence of adultery from the p.i. can give you a great deal of leverage in negotiating a settlement.
Of course, the downside is the costs. A good investigator is not cheap and there is a chance that even if you have the best one, they don't find evidence of fault. After all, your spouse may not be having an affair after all, or the detective may not be there on dates when your spouse in engaged in the conduct.
The bottom line is that it would be irresponsible not to discuss the possibility of hiring a detective with your lawyer in all but the simplest contested cases. Get information about the costs and the benefits and then you can make an informed decision.