What is a debtor?
In civil law, a debtor is a person who is obligated to perform a service or pay a sum of money to another person, called the creditor. Typically, a creditor can initiate a seizure procedure only if the claim meets three characteristics:
- Certain: The claim must have a current and uncontested existence.
- Liquid: The claim must be quantifiable in monetary terms.
- Payable: The claim should not be subject to a suspensive condition.
Additionally, some creditors have privileged status, allowing them to receive payment of their claims first due to the nature of their personal right. They benefit from a ranking determined by law (Article 2333 of the Civil Code).
Who has the right to conduct an investigation to locate a debtor?
A creditor, whether an individual or a professional, can hire a private detective to locate a debtor who owes an uncontested and payable debt.
What are the possible interventions of a detective in a debtor search case?
A private detective can intervene in various ways depending on the case:
- Field Investigations: Surveillance and tailing to locate the debtor.
- Administrative Investigations: Searches in public and administrative databases to obtain information about the debtor.
- Solvency Investigations: Analysis of the debtor’s financial and asset situation.
Why hire a private detective to locate a delinquent debtor?
Hiring a private detective allows for:
- Identification and Location: Finding the whereabouts of the debtor.
- Solvency Investigation: Assessing the debtor’s financial and asset situation to determine the possibilities of recovering the debt.
The goal is to identify the debtor’s seizable assets to enable the creditor to recover what is owed to them.
What is the cost of hiring a detective for a debtor search case?
Customized debtor searches start at €400 excluding VAT. It is more challenging to find a debtor who is evading law enforcement worldwide than a tenant who abruptly left due to divorce or job loss.
Each case is unique, so feel free to contact us for more details. Our team will provide a precise and detailed quote (see “Rates“).
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