Asset Searches: Navigating Public Records and Subpoenaed Information

Asset searches are among the major portions of private investigations, especially in those instances where there is a need to address financial disputes or fraud detection, or any other claims that may need verification through some legal procedures. Here at Easton Secure Solutions, LLC, we specialize in the legal and ethical uncovering of the facts and deliver that information to our clients while adhering to all related laws.
It's crucial to learn what is available through public records and what is accessible through a subpoena. Here is an guide to walk you through the boundaries and debunk the mystery of asset searches.

Public Records: Assets Accessible Without a Subpoena

Public records can offer a plethora of legally accessible information in asset searches, which becomes highly useful in the process. The public availability of such records will disclose the following information: 

1. Ownership of Real Estate

Records on the ownership of houses, commercial properties, and land can be acquired from county clerk offices or from online property databases. The records may include but are not limited to deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments.

2. Vehicles

Registrations regarding cars, trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles can, depending on state access laws, often be retrieved.

3. Aircraft and Watercraft

Aircraft: The ownership and lien details about aircraft can be obtained from federal registries such as FAA Registry.
Watercraft: Registers maintained by different states keep records regarding boats, yachts, and all other types of watercraft.

4. Professional Licenses

Records of professional licenses, publicly available, will confirm employment, certification, or qualification. Examples include medical licenses, attorney licenses, contractor licenses, and other licensed professions.

5. Business Ownership
Filings with state business registries expose company ownership, incorporation dates, and addresses of record.

6. Court Records
Publicly available court files, judgments, bankruptcies, liens, and law suits offer a view to financial obligations and litigation.

7. Tax Liens and Other Encumbrances
Federal, state, and local tax liens are generally available. They show payments that become delinquent and attach to property.

8. UCC Filings-Uniform Commercial Code
Filings in this category uncover secured transactions-meaning loans tied to personal or business assets-and provide proof of financial obligations.

By utilizing these publically available resources, investigators are able to create a comprehensive asset profile on an individual or organization without the application of legal pressure.

Legal Subpoenas: How Private Investigators Receive Private Information

Some types of sensitive information are controlled by privacy laws, and thus cannot be accessed without a subpoena issued in the course of a legal proceeding. These include:

1. Bank Account Information: Details about balances, transactions, or account ownership.
2. Investment Portfolios: Stocks, bonds, and other financial investments of a person are private.
3. Employment Compensation: Salaries, benefits, and other information related to employment are confidential except as legally authorized.
4. Safe Deposit Boxes: In order to obtain access to the contents of safe deposit boxes, a court order is necessary.

Subpoenas typically come into play in issues dealing with divorce settlements, fraud investigations, or for the collection of debts. There have been several instances where Easton Secure Solutions LLC has assisted legal professionals with their ability to gather additional evidence that becomes useful in the subpoena issuance.

Common Asset Search Myths

With all this information, there are still a number of misconceptions concerning what private investigators can legally obtain. Let's deconstruct a number of the more common myths:

Myth #1: Bank accounts are open books. Fact: Accessing someone's bank account is illegal and utterly unethical.

Myth #2: All records are online. Fact: While many records have been digitized, critical documents like older property deeds or local tax filings may still require in-person retrieval.

Myth #3: Private Investigators Have Unlimited Access to Data.
This is actually quite the opposite. The fact is Investigators do have access to data aggregators and other subscribed tools, but are trained on what can actual can be retreived and what realistically can't. At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we adhere strictly to those legal and ethical bounds.

Why hire Easton Secure Solutions LLC?

At Easton Secure Solutions, we give professionalism and expertise to every investigation. We are licensed in New York State and serve clients throughout New York State. As it pertains to asset searches, we strategically meld publicly available data with strategic collaboration with attorneys when subpoenas become necessary to make certain every action is conducted within the scope of legality and in an ethical manner.
Everything from real estate holdings and professional licenses to corporate assets-we deliver actionable insights relevant to whatever it is you are looking for.

Contact Us Today
Ready to bring the truth to light without compromising your integrity-legally or otherwise-call Easton Secure Solutions LLC. We will help with everything from public record searches to what would require a proper subpoena. We service all of New York State.