3 Kids and Us

How a Private Investigator can Help your Divorce Case

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Going through a divorce is a tough experience for any couple, and difficulties are compounded when children or other dependent relatives are involved. Regardless of fault, it is usually the case that there are disagreements over the events that caused or contributed to the divorce, the procedure for actually obtaining the divorce, and the practicalities of separating assets and liabilities. While these occurrences would in any case present difficulties for a divorcing couple, they can be made worse by not having accurate information. When the truth can mean a party has to pay considerable sums of money or surrender access to children, it is unsurprising that divorce proceedings are wrought with fabrications and misrepresentations. 

Fortunately, there are ways of addressing these challenges head on, meaning an equitable and appropriate settlement is within reach for divorcing couples no matter how bitter the initial proceedings. Private investigators (PIs) – also known as private detectives or inquiry agents in some jurisdictions – can be hired to set the record straight.

What do PIs do?

PIs are highly-trained individuals who seek out, verify, and analyze information on practically any topic using a range of specialist techniques, including surveillance, interrogation, fact-finding, and public records searches. Many PIs are contracted by law firms, newspapers, and other groups with investigative needs, but individuals are also able to hire PIs for personal or business matters. Divorce is a common domain for PIs, and their clandestine and confidential nature is often one of the main attractions of hiring them.

For the most part, divorce involves personal matters – such as infidelity, domestic violence, and deceit – but PIs are usually such well-rounded and skilled individuals that they can be instructed to investigate a whole range of matters, including complex financial and business issues that might be relevant to a divorce. 

Some of their core activities in relation to divorces include:

 

Gathering Evidence of Allegations

 

When filing for divorce, one or both spouses must specify whether there is fault at issue. A fault divorce is one whereby blame for the divorce is assigned owing to the actions or inactions of one or the other party. Of the traditional fault grounds, the allegation of cruelty (inflicting physical or emotional pain) is the most common, but others include: adultery, desertion, imprisonment, and sexual dysfunction that was not disclosed prior to marriage. In each of these cases, a judge will require evidence of the alleged fault. This is where PIs come in.

Gathering evidence of fault without the assistance of a PI is rarely recommended, as it could put one or both of the spouses in a dangerous position and the techniques employed could affect the outcome of the legal case in unpredictable ways. PIs are used to managing the risks associated with investigating fault and they carry out their investigations in such a way as to comply with applicable evidence laws. 

 

Ascertaining Means for Child Support

 

Divorce brings out a side to many spouses that the other has never seen. Nowhere is this tendency more common than in relation to the making available of assets and financial information for child support. 

Often, a deep distrust of the other spouse means that one will seek to hide or obscure the true value of assets, delay salary or bonus payments, and misrepresent income so as to lower any legally-mandated child support payment. Through surveillance or complex financial analysis, PIs expertly locate the true figures involved in these situations. Their work can better ensure that reporting is fair and accurate, so that one spouse is not left with any undue financial burdens when it comes to supporting a child.

 

Investigating Suitability for Child Custody

 

It is not only the financial aspects of a child’s care that are at issue during divorce proceedings. More often than not, the events that lead up to the divorce indicate to one or both spouses that the other presents an issue for the child’s welfare. This is especially the case where infidelity or alcohol/drug use is suspected, as the accused may not be available to care properly for the child. 

These are very serious concerns that have implications not only for the divorce, but also for the individuals involved should any criminality – such as child neglect or abuse – be discovered. Again, PIs are able to find and, importantly, verify information about any such activities and relay that back to legal teams who are then positioned to put protective measures in place for the child, whether that be a complete denial or a restriction of custody, or a form of supervised parenting time. 

 

Conducting Searches into Assets

 

Rarely is it the case that assets and liabilities are divided in such a way that neither spouse contends the split. Whether there are debates over mortgage contributions and car payments or business values and inheritances, PIs are able to uncover financial information from a range of sources. Using this information, lawyers are able to put together more accurate and fairer plans for the division of assets upon granting of the divorce, which ultimately means a more amicable settlement and lower legal fees. 

PIs are especially useful in cases where one or both spouses suspect that assets are being hidden. It is, unfortunately, quite common for one or both spouses to try to shield their assets from the divorce proceedings so as not to lose them in any eventual settlements or awards. 

Summary

With divorce rates on the increase in countries all over the globe, couples will continue to face a whole host of difficulties when choosing to end their marriage. The good news is that hiring a Private Investigator is one way of reducing the stress and turmoil caused by divorce, not least because it means that all parties – spouses and their legal teams – can enter into the proceedings with more accurate information. From the discovery of hidden assets to gathering evidence of infidelity, PIs bring to light difficult or unknown issues in a way that few other professionals can. 

3 Fun, Simple and Powerful Ways to Teach Young Kids About Money

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For parents, the message and motivation is simple: if you don’t take the time to teach your kids about money, then something or someone else will — and those lessons are likely to be financially costly and emotionally painful.

What’s more, unlike talking about that other subject (yes, you know the one — birds and bees and all of that stuff), discussing money doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or awkward.

Instead, talking to your kids about money can be fun and interesting — not just for them, but for you, too. Here are three suggestions:

1. Take your kids food shopping and make them part of the process from purchasing to paying.

Understandably, most parents who take their young kids food shopping have one clear goal in mind: get in and get out as quickly as possible, and with a minimum amount of whining, complaining, and “if you don’t start behaving right now then no TV for a week!” threats.

However, one way to get kids interested in the experience and boost their budding financial literacy, is by coaching them to be part of the process. Help them understand how similar products have different prices, and why some products like milk and butter are cheaper than others like imported fruits and pine nuts. And when it comes to paying, help them see — or better yet, let them handle — the transaction, so they can start understanding how the system works.

2. Use rewards and incentives to help kids pay themselves first.

In the financial world for grown-ups, a new and better way of looking at saving these days is to “pay yourself first”. In a similar sense, you can help your kids appreciate this fundamentally important aspect by using rewards and incentives for them to save more and spend less.

For example, if Santa Claus had your child on the good list (even after that “incident” with the grape juice) and handed him or her a $20 bill at Christmas, then you might offer to match their savings dollar-for-dollar after two or three months. Or, if your child has their heart set on something that costs more than they have available — like a new bike — then you can offer to help them reach their goal if they take the lead by being a smart, diligent saver who pays themselves first.

3. Stop giving allowances, and start giving commissions.

The time-honored practice of giving kids a weekly allowance is well-intentioned, but can actually be counterproductive if it encourages kids to believe that when they get older, a regular dose of money will magically appear.

To avoid setting your kids up for dismay and disappointment — and maybe some big financial losses later in life that are rooted in a sense of entitlement — stop giving allowances, and start giving commissions. For example, you can give out a basic amount for completing normal, age-appropriate chores (for 5-6 year-olds, this might be making their bed in the morning each day and putting away toys after play, for 7-8 year-olds it could be tasks like helping around the house, and so on).

It’s also important to tie commission to performance. If your child over-delivers and goes above and beyond, then boost the amount with a one-time bonus, or give them a raise if it’s something they’ve been doing for a while. Conversely, if they don’t meet a basic standard, then let them know that it’s going to cost them. Make sure that the message is consistent and clear, like a giant full-color banner from the Landmark Sign Company.

The Bottom Line

Teaching your kids about money doesn’t have to be difficult or full of angry statements like “money doesn’t go on trees!” Instead, it can be fun, interesting and most importantly: very profitable for your kids, and indeed, for your whole family.

4 mistakes every real estate investor makes which you can avoid

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The real estate industry is very lucrative only if it is done properly. It is possible to become rich in the market but it won’t be easy. Most real estate investors make certain mistakes that result in losses. Avoiding the following mistakes can help you make money in the real estate industry.

1. Overpaying

One of the biggest mistakes most first-time real estate investors do, is paying too much on a property. The essence of any investment is buying at a low price and selling at a higher price. Therefore, you will only make money in the real estate industry if you get a property at a good price. However, if you buy a property at a higher price, your investment on return will be significantly affected because the property will appreciate very little. In some cases, you might even make a loss

2. Lack of a good understanding of the market

This is another major mistake most real estate investors make. Understanding the market means more than just knowing the neighbourhood. You have to understand the underlying demand of the particular market you intend to invest in.

For instance, if you like investing in the off plan property in Dubai, you will not be successful if you don’t understand the market. If you want to resell, who are the potential buyers?  You should understand what the potential buyers are looking for.

The off-plan market is one of the latest trends in the Dubai real estate industry. Some of the top developers are getting involved in the off-plan market. For example, there are several Meraas off plan projects in Dubai such as Sur la Mer townhouses. If you are interested in completed projects, there is a rich selection of apartments for sale in Palm Jumeirah where you can invest and expect a high ROI.

3. Failure to do Due diligence

Before you put your money on any property, you must be willing to go an extra mile to perform due diligence. The failure to research on the property, the neighbourhood and the market in general is an intolerable error that may cause loses. However, it is a mistake most real estate investors make and they end up stuck with a property that is a money loser.

4. Lack of strategy

Having a transactional view of the real estate is another mistake some investors make. Like any other type of investment, you need to create a plan and stick by it. If you don’t have a viable investment plan, you might make a mistake of buying the wrong property just because you were offered a good deal.

City View or Sea View: Which is better?

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While some people prefer to live within the city, others like to live by the seaside. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages and the choice will depend on several factors. For instance, city lifestyle is more active and fast-paced. On the other hand, the seaside is less populated with a variety of water activities.

Advantages of living in the city

  • Opportunities

Most cities are vibrant and offer a wealth of opportunities for the residents. Even though the job market is competitive, there is a wide variety of opportunities. This one of the main reasons why most people prefer to migrate to cities.

  • Convenience

The convenience of city life is another reason most people prefer to live in cities. Almost everything can be accessed via public transport, a short drive or even walking. All the basic amenities and facilities such as banks, grocery stores, hospitals, etc. are located within reach. One such example is the Downtown Dubai area. There are a lot of apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai that are located in walking distance to public transportation and basic amenities.

  • Efficient transportation

One of the most significant benefits of living in the city is an efficient transportation system.  Train, buses and taxis are some of the efficient and cost effective methods of getting around the city. Also, most cities are bike friendly and therefore residents can cycle to their destinations easily.

Disadvantages of living in the city

  • Cost of living

Even though people living in the city can easily access most of the facilities they need, the cost of living is higher. Rent and other utilities tend to be high in cities than in other regions.

Advantages of living by the seaside

  • Ample recreational activities

Water activities are great for your physical and mental health. Those that live by the seaside, such as in the Emaar Dubai Creek Harbour neighbourhood or the Meraas Bluewaters Residences, enjoy easy access to activities like sunbathing, surfing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and more.

  • Soothing sea breezes

Apart from relaxation, research has shown that sea air can reduce symptoms of asthma. The sea air contains iodine; salt and other minerals that promote respiratory health improve allergies and skin problems and stimulate the immune system.

Disadvantages of living by the seaside

  • Costly insurance

Seaside property owners can expect the additional expense of specialty insurance to cover risks such as floods.

  • Salt damage

If you plan to live by the seaside, you should expect to see some damages on the exterior of your property due to exposure to sea salt.

Passenger Counting Systems Advantages

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A fully-fledged passenger counting system is a great addition to the management of any mass transit operation. It provides tons of valuable data which is useful to stakeholders such as the passengers, managers, planners, operators, and even concerned third parties like insurers in some cases. The data from these systems can help to improve customer service, plan operations more smoothly thus improving efficiency, enhance security and safety, and to help in accurate revenue capturing or projection.

Features of passenger counting systems

High accuracy levels – These systems employ independent traffic statistics algorithms, which allows them to have high accuracy rates of approximately 92%. They can precisely differentiate customer flow regardless of the color of the clothes, having caps, backpacks, and so on.

Two-way passenger flow counting – Every device in the system has the capacity to automatically capture the passengers getting on to the vehicle and those alighting. As such, it can support 2-channel video input and 2-channel output. Additionally, it can automatically summarize the gathered information.

Real-time reporting – The terminal equipment in the system and cloud server work simultaneously to avail real-time data enabling accurate reporting of a person’s entry and exit.

Sending alerts – The system’s highly accurate data can be set up so that it sends notifications to operators in the event of overload and so on.

Advantages and uses of passenger counting systems

Fleet management, transit agencies operators, passengers, and other parties will get numerous benefits from the passenger counting systems. It is therefore a worthy investment to have on the vehicles, and the best thing is that it is easy to install and readily available from service providers such as Eyeride.

Here are some of the benefits of the system:

Reduced costs or better budget savings

The systems improve operational efficiency and customer service allowing for optimal use of resources. Due to the ability to analyze data up to the individual passenger, the system can identify the routes and even stops that are not well-utilized or those that may not be of any meaningful business. With that information, the planners can do better routing and optimize each vehicle and route. The conductors can also be eliminated in the passenger vehicles.

Timely response to incidents

The automatic passenger information system enables quick and instantaneous response to incidents such as accidents and others and that could make a significant difference between losing lives and saving them. The systems with their cameras and other linked gadgets and sub-systems help fleet managers or transit agencies to act swiftly in case of threats such as hijacking, accidents, and other emergency incidents.

Help to address customer complaints

The information from the automated passenger counting systems enable fleet management and other concerned parties to sort out customer complaints. The data from the system makes it possible to differentiate valid complaints and baseless accusations due to customer errors. Thus, real problems are addressed satisfactorily and in time, enhancing the customer service and reliability of transport service providers.

Revenue projection

With automatic passenger counting systems, it is possible to estimate the number of passengers who will use the bus and how much revenue that bus should generate over a given period. Human errors are also eliminated, for example by conductors in counting and so on.

Efficiency

One of the most significant advantages of the passenger counting system is overall fleet management efficiency, which factors schedules, route plans, traffic trends, and other crucial things that affect the transit quality.

Conclusion

Passenger counting systems have many benefits to the transit operators, passengers, and others. It enables enhanced efficiency, reduces costs, enables quick response to emergencies, and enhances customer service and the handling of customer complaints. It also facilitates revenue projection.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!