F.A.Q.

Yes. Most states require private investigators to be licensed, including Nevada. The State of Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board regulates all licensees and their investigative staff. You can verify any Nevada PI license directly through the State of Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board.

No. Francis & Associates Inc. does not conduct electronic surveillance of any kind. These activities are unethical, can compromise an investigation, and may violate Nevada law. As of July 1, 2023, placing a GPS tracking device on a vehicle without lawful authority is a criminal offense in Nevada, a misdemeanor for the first violation, and a gross misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. In addition to criminal penalties, civil statutes may expose individuals to significant financial liability. For these reasons, we do not engage in electronic or GPS‑based surveillance.

We cannot conduct surveillance on anyone involved in a protective order, including situations where you have filed one or one has been filed against you. We also cannot perform surveillance for clients with current or past stalking charges. Locate investigations require a lawful purpose, and we verify all cases to ensure compliance with Nevada law. We do not locate individuals from past relationships, as this does not meet the legal standard for obtaining someone’s address.

In most cases, no. We generally do not take over cases previously handled by other investigation firms. Many agencies operate outside their expertise or use methods that compromise the integrity of a case, creating risks such as exposure, contamination of evidence, or ethical concerns. To protect our clients and maintain the highest professional standards, we avoid inheriting cases that may have been mishandled by another firm.

Yes. Francis & Associates Inc. provides complimentary consultations for all prospective clients. Consultations can be scheduled in person at our Las Vegas office or conducted over the phone for your convenience. During this confidential discussion, we review your needs, answer your questions, and outline the most effective options for achieving your objectives.

Yes. Every consultation with Francis & Associates Inc. is completely confidential. All inquiries, case details, communications, and investigative findings are handled with the highest level of discretion. Your information is never shared with any third party without lawful authority.

If you choose not to proceed with an investigation, all information you provided, including documents, messages, and anything discussed during the consultation, will be securely destroyed to protect your privacy and confidentiality. Nothing is stored or retained.

If you retain our services and we work your case, your information will remain confidential and protected. The only exception is when we are legally required to release information through a valid court order or subpoena. Outside of those specific circumstances, your case details remain strictly confidential.

Confidentiality is a core principle of our agency and an essential part of how we safeguard every client who contacts us, whether or not they retain our services.

To begin an investigation promptly and effectively, we ask that you provide any information you already have about the individual involved — such as their name, basic personal details, known schedules, vehicle information, and any available photographs. If certain details are missing, we will obtain the necessary information during our initial case preparation. The more information you can share upfront, the faster we can begin and the more efficient the investigation will be. All information is handled with complete confidentiality.

Yes. All investigations at Francis & Associates Inc. are handled on a retainer basis to ensure clarity and transparency from the start. Once your case is accepted, we issue a detailed retainer invoice outlining the services included. If certain tasks become unnecessary or need to be adjusted as the case progresses, we reallocate the retainer to the appropriate investigative work. Should additional services be requested beyond the original scope, a separate retainer will be issued before continuing. Our goal is to keep the process straightforward, transparent, and easy for clients to understand.

The cost of a private investigator in Las Vegas depends on the complexity of your case, the type of services required, and the number of investigative hours involved. At Francis & Associates Inc., we provide clear, upfront guidance during your consultation so you understand exactly what to expect. We tailor our approach to your specific objectives and outline the most efficient, cost‑effective strategy for achieving results. There are no hidden fees, and all pricing is discussed transparently before any work begins.

An investigation can begin as soon as the required retainer is paid and your case is officially opened. Once the retainer is received, we reserve your date and time slot on our investigative schedule and immediately begin preparing your case. Urgent matters often receive same‑day attention once payment is confirmed. Our team provides responsive support throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Pahrump, Laughlin, and Reno, ensuring your case moves forward without delay once the retainer and scheduling are in place.

Yes. When properly documented, private investigator reports can be used in court. Francis & Associates Inc. specializes in producing clear, professionally prepared, court‑defensible reports that meet the standards required by attorneys and Nevada courts. Our documentation is structured to support legal proceedings, ensuring that evidence is presented accurately, ethically, and in a format that can withstand scrutiny.

Francis & Associates Inc. manages a wide range of complex and sensitive investigations throughout Las Vegas and the State of Nevada. Our services include criminal defense investigations, cold case reviews, surveillance operations, corporate and workplace investigations, background checks, domestic and family‑related matters, cohabitation investigations, financial investigations, suspicious death and wrongful death investigations, litigation support, and TSCM (Technical Surveillance Counter‑Measures) counter‑surveillance sweeps. Every case is handled with precision, discretion, and strict adherence to Nevada law.

We also maintain a firm policy of not accepting cases that have been previously handled by another private investigation agency. Prior investigative work may compromise the integrity of a case through exposure, contamination of evidence, or unethical or inexperienced investigative practices. These issues can create legal risks, evidentiary problems, and complications that cannot be undone. To protect our clients and uphold the highest professional standards, we do not inherit cases that may already be compromised by another firm’s actions.

For a comprehensive overview of all the services we provide, we encourage you to explore the Services section of our website. Each investigative category is outlined in detail so you can better understand how our team can support your specific needs.

Yes. Hiring a private investigator is often worth it when you need verified facts, unbiased documentation, or evidence you cannot obtain on your own. But it is just as important to hire the right investigator. Many investigators only focus on surveillance, domestic matters, or insurance work. Those limited skill sets are not enough for complex cases such as criminal defense, financial investigations, suspicious death reviews, corporate matters, or litigation support.

The investigator you choose should have direct experience with the type of case you have. The professionalism of the agency also matters. Even the name of the company can influence how seriously your case is viewed by attorneys, judges, and a jury. A professional, credible agency name helps ensure your investigation is taken seriously and that your evidence carries weight in court.

Francis and Associates Inc. brings specialized investigative experience across multiple disciplines, ensuring your case is handled by professionals who understand legal standards, evidentiary requirements, and the documentation required for court.