Summary: Divorce cases in Wilmslow and Altrincham often involve business interests, multiple properties and complex pensions, which makes financial transparency harder to pin down. Matrimonial surveillance and asset location work together to give you a clear, evidenced picture before you settle.
If you’re searching for a private investigator, M19 Solutions is here to help.
Realising that a marriage has broken down is hard enough without also wondering whether you have the full picture of what you are entitled to. At M19 Solutions we have over two decades of experience and more than 1,000 cases behind us, with every operative drawn from a police or military background. We see a particular pattern in areas like Wilmslow and Altrincham, where higher household wealth tends to make divorce cases more complicated rather than less.
Two issues tend to come up together in these cases. One is whether a partner is being unfaithful. The other, often more consequential, is whether both sides are being honest about what they actually own.
Why divorce looks different in Wilmslow and Altrincham
Both towns sit among the wealthiest parts of Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with a high concentration of business owners, company directors and professionals with income from more than one source. That changes what a divorce settlement has to account for.
A straightforward salary and a family home are relatively easy to divide fairly. A portfolio of rental properties, shares in a private company, an overseas holiday home or a pension built up over a long career is not. Family law firms serving this part of Cheshire regularly flag complex financial disclosure and business interests as the issues that take the longest to resolve. The more complex the finances, the more there is for one party to overlook, whether by accident or by design.
What matrimonial surveillance actually covers
Matrimonial surveillance is not limited to following someone to confirm an affair, though that remains one of the most common reasons clients come to us. It also covers asset location, which looks at the fuller financial picture rather than just behaviour.
For infidelity cases, our team gathers evidence discreetly and lawfully, whether that means covert observation, documenting patterns of behaviour or confirming who someone is meeting and where. Every case is built to a court-ready standard, with a detailed log of times, dates and locations.
For asset cases, the work looks different. We check public records, company filings and property registers to build a picture of what a person actually owns, which can be useful where a spouse has interests that are not obvious from a bank statement alone. Our private investigators Altrincham team handles this kind of work regularly across the wider area. This sits alongside our matrimonial surveillance service, which covers both strands together where a case calls for it.
The hidden assets problem
Full and honest financial disclosure is a legal requirement in divorce proceedings in England and Wales, not an optional courtesy. Both parties have a duty to set out everything they own before a fair settlement can be reached, as GOV.UK sets out in its guidance on dividing money and property.
In practice, that duty is not always met. A study by Investec Wealth and Investment found that a quarter of people who divorced in the past decade admitted keeping some assets hidden from their ex-partner, with men roughly twice as likely to do so. Around a quarter of those who concealed assets hid sums of £10,000 or more.
The consequences for getting caught are serious. Courts can order the dishonest party to pay the other side’s legal costs, draw adverse inferences about what has been concealed or in the most serious cases treat non-disclosure as contempt of court. If a settlement has already been signed and dishonesty comes to light afterwards, the case can sometimes be reopened, which is a far harder and more expensive route than getting the full picture the first time.
Is it legal to use a private investigator in a divorce case?
Yes. Hiring a private investigator for a divorce or separation case is completely legal in the UK, provided the work stays within the law. We operate within strict legal limits, using public observation, lawful record checks and legitimate data sources rather than anything that strays into hacking or trespass. Evidence gathered this way can be relied on in court if the case proceeds that far.
If you are already noticing changes in behaviour, our piece on signs your husband is having an affair covers the patterns clients most often ask us about before they get in touch.
Speak to Experienced Private Investigators in Wilmslow
Divorce is difficult enough without doubting the figures in front of you. Whether the concern is infidelity, hidden assets or both, getting clear and lawfully gathered evidence early gives you a stronger position, whatever happens next.
If you need clarity before you settle, our private investigator Wilmslow team can help you get there discreetly and to a standard that holds up if the case goes to court.
M19 Solutions is based in Manchester and works across Wilmslow, Altrincham and the whole of Greater Manchester. Every operative has a police or military background and specialist training, we are ICO registered, IPI members and fully insured, and every case is handled in complete confidence with evidence prepared to a court-ready standard.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 0161 706 0057 or email info@m19solutions.co.uk and we will talk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions about matrimonial surveillance
Is it legal to hire a private investigator for a divorce case in the UK?
Yes, it is completely legal to hire a private investigator to gather evidence for a divorce or separation case in the UK. The work must stay within the law, using lawful surveillance and legitimate data sources rather than phone tapping, hacking or trespass.
Can a private investigator find hidden assets in a divorce?
Yes. Investigators can check public records, company filings and property registers to identify assets such as businesses, properties or directorships that have not been disclosed. This does not replace a solicitor but gives you the factual grounds to raise the issue.
What evidence can be used in a UK divorce case?
Photographs, video footage, surveillance logs and asset location reports can all be used, provided they were gathered lawfully. Courts expect evidence to be accurate, properly timed and dated, which is why professional reports are prepared to a court-ready standard.
How much does a matrimonial investigation cost?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of the case and how much surveillance or research is needed. We agree a clear quote and a budget cap before starting, with no hidden charges, so you know what to expect from the outset.
