You already know.
We’ll prove it.
South Carolina’s most credentialed private investigation firm. SLED-licensed, MBA-led, and trusted by attorneys statewide for the documented evidence that holds up in court — and changes outcomes.
Decision-grade intelligence for high-stakes infidelity, child custody, and corporate matters.
The pit in your stomach is data.
A spouse’s schedule that stopped making sense. A custody arrangement that doesn’t feel safe. An employee whose numbers won’t reconcile.
The people around you say let it go. We don’t. Stillinger Investigations exists for the moment when a suspicion has to become a documented, defensible answer — no drama, no theater, just evidence that holds up the day it’s submitted.
Twelve SLED-licensed investigators on staff. 125+ years of combined experience. Reports formatted for the courtrooms where your case will actually be decided.
Most Private Investigators sell suspicion. We deliver truth.
Every Stillinger case is built to the evidentiary bar of South Carolina family and civil courts. That’s the difference between a stakeout and an investigation.
Built for the Courtroom
Chain-of-custody documentation, timestamped surveillance, and sworn investigator testimony when needed. Every report meets SC family and civil court evidentiary standards.
MBA-Led Investigations
Brian Stillinger holds an MBA from the University of Maryland alongside SLED licensure. Strategic case planning — not improvisation — applied to every investigation.
12 Investigators on Staff
Licensed, bonded, insured, full-time. The investigator you brief is on the team running your case. We don’t subcontract the work that determines the outcome.
In-House Forensics Lab
Led by a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) qualified as expert witness in US District Court for the District of South Carolina. Eight-hour device turnaround.
Zero Paper Trail
Your case never appears in a public-facing record. Discreet billing. Encrypted communication. Reports shared only with you and the attorneys you authorize.
The Firm Attorneys Call
A meaningful share of our caseload comes from family-law, personal-injury, and corporate counsel statewide — because our reports survive cross-examination.
Three categories of cases. One standard of evidence.
You don’t need confirmation that you’re hurting. You need answers — and if it gets to court, evidence a judge will accept.
Our infidelity investigators in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach work the way SC family-law attorneys want them to: timestamped surveillance, HD photo and video, pattern-of-behavior reports, and lawfully deployed vehicle tracking.
South Carolina is a fault-based divorce state — documented adultery directly affects alimony, property division, and custody. Most cases resolve in 7–21 days. Some in a single weekend. Your spouse never knows we were there.
- Covert HD surveillance — photo, video, timestamped
- Pattern-of-behavior reports built for SC family court
- GPS tracking deployed within state and federal law
- Investigator available for hearing testimony
- Discreet billing · zero footprint in shared records
When your child’s safety is the question, the answer can’t be a hunch.
We document what’s actually happening in the other household — not what’s claimed in court filings. Family-law attorneys across South Carolina rely on our surveillance, photographic evidence, and behavioral records to give judges what custody decisions actually require.
Every report is built to admissibility standards from minute one. Every investigator is trained in chain-of-custody protocol. Your child deserves a case judges can rule on — not allegations they’ll discount.
- Documentation of unsafe environments, supervision lapses, substance use
- Visitation compliance and parental conduct surveillance
- Background checks on adults present during custodial time
- Reports formatted for direct attorney submission
- Investigator testimony in SC Family Court when required
Internal theft. Workers’ comp fraud. A partner whose books don’t add up. The losses that don’t show on a balance sheet — until it’s too late.
Our corporate investigators conduct due diligence, asset searches, surveillance, and digital forensics for South Carolina businesses, insurers, and law firms. Quietly. Legally. With reports your legal and HR teams can act on the same week.
- Employee theft, time theft, and internal fraud investigations
- Workers’ comp fraud surveillance for SC employers and insurers
- Pre-employment, executive, and partnership due diligence
- Asset searches and judgment-recovery investigations
- Digital forensics, data recovery, intellectual-property cases
Four kinds of clients. One standard of evidence.
Whether you’re hiring us for yourself, your business, your law firm, or your insurance carrier — every case gets the same court-tested, MBA-led investigative process.
👤 For Individuals & Families
Infidelity, child custody, missing persons, online-dating verification, nanny background checks. Discreet investigations for personal matters where the stakes are personal.
Personal investigations →💼 For Business Owners
Employee theft, internal fraud, due diligence, IP protection, threat assessments, undercover investigations. Strategic corporate intelligence from an MBA-led firm.
Business investigations →⚖️ For Attorneys
Witness location, accident investigations, jury profiling, asset searches, court-admissible evidence for SC family-law, civil, and criminal defense practices.
Attorney services →🛡️ For Insurance Companies
Workers’ comp surveillance, disability claim investigations, fire and death investigations, claimant interviews, SIU support for SC and Southeast carriers.
Insurance services →Every major South Carolina market. One firm.
Investigators deployed from Columbia and four regional offices. Most cases begin within 24 hours.
Headquarters · Richland County · Lake Murray
Tri-county · Mount Pleasant · Summerville
Upstate · Spartanburg · Anderson
Horry & Georgetown counties
Lexington County · West Columbia
York County · Charlotte metro south
Four steps. No surprises.
From first call to final report, you’ll know exactly where your case stands.
Call us
Speak directly with a licensed investigator — not a salesperson. Tell us what’s happening.
Within 1 hour · 24/7Get a plan
You receive a written investigation plan, realistic timeline, and flat retainer quote. No upsells.
Within 24 hoursWe work the case
Surveillance, forensics, documentation. Discreet check-ins so you’re never wondering what’s happening.
7 – 21 days typicalCourt-ready report
A documented case file you hand to your attorney, your HR team, or yourself. Built to be acted on.
Admissible day oneAnswers, before you have to ask.
Are private investigators legal in South Carolina?
Yes. Private investigators in South Carolina must be licensed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) under SC Code §40-18. Every Stillinger investigator is SLED-licensed (License #1586), bonded, and insured. We operate strictly within state and federal law — which is exactly what makes our evidence admissible in court.
How much does a private investigator cost in South Carolina?
Investigation costs vary by case type and surveillance hours. Our base rate is $95/hr. Most infidelity and custody cases run on hourly rates against a $1,500 minimum retainer. Digital forensics starts at $750. You receive a clear written quote in your free consultation — no hidden fees.
Will my spouse or the subject of the investigation find out?
Confidentiality is the entire product. Our investigators are trained in covert surveillance, our reports never appear in any public-facing system, and your case is shared only with you and any attorney you authorize. We never contact you on a number or email your subject can trace.
What evidence is admissible in South Carolina family court?
South Carolina family courts accept photographic, video, and written investigative evidence when it is legally obtained, properly documented, and supported by a credible witness — typically the licensed investigator. Every Stillinger case file is built to that standard from day one, including chain-of-custody documentation and investigator testimony when needed.
Do you work directly with attorneys?
Yes — extensively. A significant share of our caseload comes from family law, personal injury, and corporate attorneys statewide. We provide retainer arrangements, expert-witness availability, and reports formatted to attorney specifications.
How fast can you start?
Most cases begin within 24 hours of your consultation. We are available 24/7 — calls are returned within one hour, including nights and weekends. Some surveillance windows can’t wait, and we plan around that.
Talk to a senior investigator. Free & confidential.
Tell us what you’re facing. A senior investigator will respond promptly — typically same day, including weekends.
- Direct line to a senior investigator — not an answering service or sales rep
- 1-hour callback promise — including nights, weekends, and holidays
- Honest assessment — we’ll tell you upfront if we can help, and what it takes
- Complete confidentiality — your inquiry is privileged from the moment you submit
- No pressure, no sales — we’ve never made a single cold-call in 25 years
Or call directly · (803) 400-1974
Send us a message
We typically reply within an hour. Your inquiry is completely confidential.
Stop wondering. Start knowing.
One call. One licensed investigator. One free, fully confidential conversation about exactly what’s possible in your case.
(803) 400-1974