Difference between revisions of "How Do I Find My Ex?"

From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "__NOTOC__ {{JP Boyd on Family Law TOC}} {{OKSUBSTANTIVE}} In general, people need to find their ex for two reasons: because they want to start a court proceeding and need to...")
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
__NOTOC__
{{JP Boyd on Family Law How Do I TOC|expanded=starting}}
{{JP Boyd on Family Law TOC}}
{{OKSUBSTANTIVE}}


In general, people need to find their ex for two reasons: because they want to start a court proceeding and need to find their ex to serve him or her with the papers that begin the proceeding; or, to begin enforcing an order relating to child support or spousal support.
In general, people need to find their ex for two reasons:  
*because they want to start a court proceeding and need to find their ex to serve them with the papers that begin the proceeding, or  
*to begin enforcing an order relating to child support or spousal support.


==Private Services==
==Private services==


The fastest but most expensive way to find someone is to hire a ''skip tracer''. Skip tracers are people that are usually hired by creditors to find someone who's left town to avoid a debt, but they'll also take private contracts to find someone. Private investigators can also provide this sort of service, but generally PIs have more practice at finding information rather than people.
The fastest but most expensive way is to hire a ''skip tracer'' or a private investigator under a ''locate'' or ''skip trace'' service contract. Skip tracers are people or agencies that are usually hired by financial institutions, insurance agencies, or law firms to find someone who's avoiding a debt or a legal process, or to locate their assets. Recently, some skip tracing services have (for their own insurance purposes) stopped taking locate contracts from members of the public. Some agencies still take public locate contracts, however, so long as they are satisfied that the purpose is legitimate. Expect to be charged a few hundred dollars and be required to pay up front.  


==Public Services==
If you can find a lawyer who will retain the services of a skip tracer for you, you may find that you have a wider selection of options. Private investigators can also provide locate services, and will be more open to public locate contracts, but generally PIs are more adept at discovering information as opposed to locating people cost-effectively. Skip tracing can use a variety of techniques, from going through databases and listings, to surveillance and witness interviews.


The Ministry of Justice has a search service that can help you to find someone when you need to enforce a court order or a separation agreement that has been filed in court that deals with:
==Public services==


#child support,
If you need to find someone who owes you support due to an agreement or court order, the BC Ministry of Attorney General has a free service that may be able to help enforce and collect the payments for you. It's called the [https://www.fmep.gov.bc.ca Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP)]. FMEP will not help you find someone in order to start an action or get an order for support, but FMEP will take action to enforce court orders and agreements and collect the money you are owed. The agreement or court order has to state the specific amount that the payor must pay you in order for FMEP to enforce it.  
#spousal support,
#guardianship of a child,
#parental responsibilities and parenting time in respect of a child, or  
#contact with a child.


The Ministry of Justice's service may be slow, but it has some fairly long arms. In addition to searching provincial records, they can also search federal data banks. To use their service, contact your local Provincial Court and ask them to submit a search request for you.
FMEP has some fairly long arms and unique legal authority, so it can be effective in cases where a payor is avoiding existing support obligations under an agreement or court order. FMEP can:
* intercept federal sources of income such as income tax or EI,
* attach wages, bank accounts or other sources of income,
* cancel a current driver’s licence or prevent a new licence being issued,
* prevent a motor vehicle registration being issued or renewed,
* suspend a passport or federal licences such as pilot’s licence,
* report unpaid maintenance to a credit bureau,
* summons the payor to a default hearing in court,
* issue a lien against the payor’s personal property or land.  


==The Internet==
To use the FMEP service, [https://www.fmep.gov.bc.ca/enrol-and-get-started/ visit their website and enroll online]. You can also call FMEP and ask questions about the service: 250-220-4040.


The explosive growth of the internet has resulted in a heck of a lot of information being readily available, sometimes in ways people don't think of. If you're looking for someone on the net, try an internet search using the person's first and last names, in quotes, like this:
==Internet and social media==


<blockquote><tt>"John Doe"</tt></blockquote>
The explosive growth of the internet and social media has resulted in a heck of a lot of information being readily available, sometimes in ways people don't think of. If you're looking for someone online, try a Google search using the person's first and last names, in quotes, like this:
 
<blockquote>"John Doe"</blockquote>


or
or


<blockquote><tt>"J Doe"</tt></blockquote>
<blockquote>"J Doe"</blockquote>


The quote marks force the search engine to look for that exact phrase, which increases the likelihood that you'll find the person you're looking for. If you have an idea of where the person might be, add that to your search phrase, but put it outside the quotes, like this:
The quote marks force the search engine to look for that exact phrase, which increases the likelihood that you'll find the person you're looking for. If you have an idea of where the person might be, add that to your search phrase, but put it outside the quotes, like this:


<blockquote><tt>"John Doe" Kamloops</tt></blockquote>
<blockquote>"John Doe" Kamloops</blockquote>


or
or


<blockquote><tt>"John Doe" "British Columbia"</tt></blockquote>
<blockquote>"John Doe" "British Columbia"</blockquote>
 
If you know another keyword, such as a profession or interest, try adding that word outside their name in quotes.
 
Social media accounts are another frequent source of information for skip tracers. Facebook may connect you to family members, old friends, or other third parties with information that you need to locate your ex in order to continue with legal proceedings.


You could also try one of these services:
You could also try one of these services:


#Google.ca, one of the best search engines around,
*[http://www.canada411.ca Canada411.ca], a Canada-wide phone book, or
#Canada411.com, a Canada-wide phone book, or
*[http://www.411.com 411.com], which allows you to find a person by looking up their phone number or address.
#411.com, which allows you to find a person by looking up their phone number or address.


Avoid pay services operated out of the United States, especially those that want you to enter your credit card number on their website. They may not be able to search within Canada.
Avoid pay services operated out of the United States, especially those that want you to enter your credit card number on their website. They may not be able to search within Canada.
==For more information==
You can find more information about starting an action in the chapter [[Resolving Family Law Problems in Court]] within the section [[Starting a Court Proceeding in a Family Matter]], and about enforcing orders within the section [[Enforcing Orders in Family Matters]].
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Nate Russell]], July 28, 2019}}


{{JP Boyd on Family Law Navbox|type=how}}
{{JP Boyd on Family Law Navbox|type=how}}
[[Category:How Do I? (Family Law)]]
 
{{Creative Commons for JP Boyd}}
 
[[Category:How Do I?|F]]
[[Category:Starting a Family Law Action]]
[[Category:JP Boyd on Family Law]]

Revision as of 20:48, 30 July 2019

In general, people need to find their ex for two reasons:

  • because they want to start a court proceeding and need to find their ex to serve them with the papers that begin the proceeding, or
  • to begin enforcing an order relating to child support or spousal support.

Private services[edit]

The fastest but most expensive way is to hire a skip tracer or a private investigator under a locate or skip trace service contract. Skip tracers are people or agencies that are usually hired by financial institutions, insurance agencies, or law firms to find someone who's avoiding a debt or a legal process, or to locate their assets. Recently, some skip tracing services have (for their own insurance purposes) stopped taking locate contracts from members of the public. Some agencies still take public locate contracts, however, so long as they are satisfied that the purpose is legitimate. Expect to be charged a few hundred dollars and be required to pay up front.

If you can find a lawyer who will retain the services of a skip tracer for you, you may find that you have a wider selection of options. Private investigators can also provide locate services, and will be more open to public locate contracts, but generally PIs are more adept at discovering information as opposed to locating people cost-effectively. Skip tracing can use a variety of techniques, from going through databases and listings, to surveillance and witness interviews.

Public services[edit]

If you need to find someone who owes you support due to an agreement or court order, the BC Ministry of Attorney General has a free service that may be able to help enforce and collect the payments for you. It's called the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP). FMEP will not help you find someone in order to start an action or get an order for support, but FMEP will take action to enforce court orders and agreements and collect the money you are owed. The agreement or court order has to state the specific amount that the payor must pay you in order for FMEP to enforce it.

FMEP has some fairly long arms and unique legal authority, so it can be effective in cases where a payor is avoiding existing support obligations under an agreement or court order. FMEP can:

  • intercept federal sources of income such as income tax or EI,
  • attach wages, bank accounts or other sources of income,
  • cancel a current driver’s licence or prevent a new licence being issued,
  • prevent a motor vehicle registration being issued or renewed,
  • suspend a passport or federal licences such as pilot’s licence,
  • report unpaid maintenance to a credit bureau,
  • summons the payor to a default hearing in court,
  • issue a lien against the payor’s personal property or land.

To use the FMEP service, visit their website and enroll online. You can also call FMEP and ask questions about the service: 250-220-4040.

Internet and social media[edit]

The explosive growth of the internet and social media has resulted in a heck of a lot of information being readily available, sometimes in ways people don't think of. If you're looking for someone online, try a Google search using the person's first and last names, in quotes, like this:

"John Doe"

or

"J Doe"

The quote marks force the search engine to look for that exact phrase, which increases the likelihood that you'll find the person you're looking for. If you have an idea of where the person might be, add that to your search phrase, but put it outside the quotes, like this:

"John Doe" Kamloops

or

"John Doe" "British Columbia"

If you know another keyword, such as a profession or interest, try adding that word outside their name in quotes.

Social media accounts are another frequent source of information for skip tracers. Facebook may connect you to family members, old friends, or other third parties with information that you need to locate your ex in order to continue with legal proceedings.

You could also try one of these services:

  • Canada411.ca, a Canada-wide phone book, or
  • 411.com, which allows you to find a person by looking up their phone number or address.

Avoid pay services operated out of the United States, especially those that want you to enter your credit card number on their website. They may not be able to search within Canada.

For more information[edit]

You can find more information about starting an action in the chapter Resolving Family Law Problems in Court within the section Starting a Court Proceeding in a Family Matter, and about enforcing orders within the section Enforcing Orders in Family Matters.


This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Nate Russell, July 28, 2019.


Creativecommonssmall.png JP Boyd on Family Law © John-Paul Boyd and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.