A judgment is only valid if it can be enforced. In France, a creditor who obtains a judgment has up to ten years to enforce it, as outlined in Article L111-4 of the Code of Civil Execution Procedures. This period is generally considered sufficient, but the challenge lies in locating a debtor who may have deliberately disappeared. As time passes, the debtor might change their residence, job, or even company, making it harder to track them down. In practice, the key issue is not whether the debtor still exists, but rather where they actually live and how they can be reached. Finding this information early can significantly affect the outcome of the case. When a debtor cannot be located, a judicial officer may create a record of unsuccessful searches, as stipulated in Article 659 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This record must detail the steps taken to find the debtor. If these efforts are considered inadequate, the service of the legal documents could be deemed invalid. In a notable case from November 21, 2019, the Paris Court of Appeal invalidated a 21-year-old judgment because no attempt had been made to locate the debtor at the workplace listed in the loan contract. This highlights the importance of verifying the debtor's address or employer before serving the documents, rather than relying on a record of failed searches that could later be contested. A judicial officer has significant powers to gather information once a judgment is in place. Under Article L152-1 of the Code of Civil Execution Procedures, they can request details from public administrations and organizations, such as the debtor’s address, employer, or real estate holdings. This information is not restricted by professional secrecy. However, this power has its limits. It is only available after the judgment has been issued and cannot be used to serve the initial summons. Additionally, it only provides information that is already known to the public authorities—meaning a debtor who hasn’t updated their address or is living with a relative might remain hidden. When a debtor actively hides their assets, a licensed private investigator can play a crucial role. Defined by the Internal Security Code, their job is to gather information for a third party to protect their interests. They rely on legal sources such as public records, company websites, and field investigations, but they cannot access banking information or use deceptive methods to obtain details from a bank or employer. Their value lies in providing verified leads that can be used by the lawyer and judicial officer. If a debtor is organizing their insolvency to avoid paying debts, it can be a criminal offense, especially in cases involving personal injury or child support. In such situations, an investigation can document the debtor's actions, allowing the lawyer to take the appropriate legal steps.