In this episode, Gerard Virga interviews Jacob Nolin, a private investigator specializing in child custody cases. They discuss the importance of thorough investigations, the process of gathering evidence, and the impact of Florida's 50-50 custody presumption on legal proceedings. Jacob shares insights on how to determine a child's best interests and the significance of early involvement in cases to ensure the best outcomes for children. In this conversation, Gerard Virga and Inv. Nolin discuss the critical role of evidence in legal cases, particularly in child custody disputes. They emphasize the importance of commitment from clients, the quest for truth in investigations, and the need to understand the motivations behind legal actions. The discussion also covers the relevance of evidence, the distinction between good and bad parenting, and the emotional challenges faced by clients during legal proceedings. They conclude with insights on how to navigate these complexities and resources available for clients seeking help.

Takeaways

Jacob Nolin has a background in law enforcement and corporate investigations.

Child custody investigations are a primary focus for Jacob's agency.

Early involvement of private investigators can significantly impact case outcomes.

Evidence is crucial in child custody cases, especially with the 50-50 presumption in Florida.

Investigators must maintain objectivity and focus on the child's best interests.

The process of a child custody investigation involves detailed planning and teamwork.

Judges prefer evidence-based claims over mere allegations in custody cases.

The demand for private investigators has increased due to changes in custody laws.

Jacob emphasizes the importance of documenting evidence for court use.

Effective communication between attorneys and investigators is key to successful outcomes. Clients must be committed to the legal process.

Evidence is crucial in building a strong case.

False allegations can harm your case.

Understanding the 'why' behind a case is essential.

Not all evidence is relevant in custody cases.

Good parenting is about protecting children from adult issues.

Investigators must act if a child's safety is at risk.

Emotion can cloud judgment in legal matters.

Co-parenting is often the best solution for children.

Clear communication and documentation are vital in investigations.

"We try to do the best job we can."

"We want the evidence to get into court."

"We want to get the evidence."

"We try to prepare it for court use."

"We want to do it the best we can do."

"We have to go in there early."

"We're seeking the truth."

"We try very hard to make sure that..."

"You have to show that nexus."

"Emotion clouds good judgment."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Private Investigations

02:58 Child Custody Investigations: A Passionate Focus

06:44 The Importance of Early Involvement in Cases

11:04 Determining the Child's Best Interests

13:09 The Process of Child Custody Investigations

19:38 Navigating the 50-50 Presumption in Florida

25:02 Evidence and Decision-Making in Custody Cases

27:37 Building a Strong Case with Evidence

29:26 The Importance of Commitment in Legal Representation

30:45 The Quest for Truth in Investigations

32:49 Understanding the 'Why' Behind Cases

34:33 Relevance of Evidence in Child Custody Cases

36:29 Distinguishing Good Parenting from Bad

39:49 Handling Dangerous Situations During Investigations

42:47 The Role of Emotion in Legal Cases

45:49 Closing Thoughts and Resources for Clients

In this episode, Gerard Virga interviews Dan Estes, a seasoned private investigator, discussing the realities of private investigation in family law. They explore the differences between Hollywood portrayals and real-life investigative work, the importance of understanding privacy laws, and the role of technology in modern investigations. Dan shares insights on statement analysis, analytical interviewing, and the significance of cell phone forensics in uncovering the truth. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication between clients and attorneys, and the evolving landscape of investigative techniques.

Episode Title: Co-Parenting Made Easy: How Our Family Wizard App Transforms Child Custody Communication

Guest: Rebecca Perra, Judicial Education Coordinator, Our Family Wizard

Episode Summary: Host Gerard Virga interviews Rebecca Perra about revolutionizing co-parenting communication through technology. This episode explores how Our Family Wizard platform helps divorced parents communicate effectively, document interactions, and create better outcomes for children. The conversation covers Rebecca's transition from practicing attorney to judicial educator, AI-powered communication tools, and essential features for high conflict custody situations.

Key Topics:

• Co-parenting communication technology
• Our Family Wizard platform features and benefits
• AI tools for improving parent communication tone
• Documentation strategies for family court
• Financial tracking for child support and expenses
• Safety features for domestic violence survivors
• Recording capabilities for evidence collection
• Professional development in family law

Target Audience:

• Divorced or separated parents
• Family law attorneys
• Mediators and collaborative professionals
• Mental health professionals working with families
• Court personnel and judicial staff

Keywords/Tags: co-parenting, family law, Our Family Wizard, communication, technology, mediation, family dynamics, child custody, legal tools, AI in family law, divorce, parenting plans, documentation, financial tracking, domestic violence support, legal technology

Episode Length: one hour

Season/Episode Number: Season 1, Episode 16

Publication Date: 08/15/2025

Content Warnings: Discussion of domestic violence and high-conflict family situations

Call to Action: Subscribe for more family law insights, visit Our Family Wizard to learn about their platform, and share your co-parenting experiences in the comments.

Episode Highlights:

• Rebecca's journey from attorney to judicial educator
• How centralized communication improves co-parenting outcomes
• AI Tone Meter feature for better parent communication
• Documentation tools that hold up in family court
• Support resources for families experiencing domestic violence

Keywords

co-parenting, family law, Our Family Wizard, communication, technology, mediation, family dynamics, child custody, legal tools, AI in family law

Summary

In this episode, Gerard Virga interviews Rebecca Pera, a judicial education coordinator for Our Family Wizard, discussing the importance of effective communication in co-parenting. They explore Rebecca's journey in family law, the features of Our Family Wizard, and how technology can help parents navigate the complexities of co-parenting. The conversation highlights the role of AI in improving communication, the significance of documentation, and the support available for domestic violence survivors. The episode emphasizes the need for better communication to ensure positive outcomes for children in co-parenting situations.

Takeaways

Rebecca Pera shares her journey from attorney to judicial educator.

Our Family Wizard is a co-parenting communication platform that centralizes communication.

Effective communication can lead to better outcomes for children.

The app provides secure documentation of all communications.

AI features like Tone Meter help improve communication tone.

The app can track financial transactions and...