
IDFA Online Learning
2025 Conference: Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome, Small Business Owners and Divorce
Approved for 1 CDFA & CFP CE Credit
This presentation will provide knowledge on Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome; a tactic some small business owners use to manipulate financial records during divorce proceedings. Throughout this presentation, you will learn how some business owners underreport income, protect assets, and reduce their financial obligations. We’ll explore some common methods used to disguise income. You will also be introduced to strategies for managing this financial intricacy in divorce, as well as how to support clients in protecting their interests. A cutting focus will be recognizing these tactics early and learning how to conduct thorough investigations to uncover hidden financial activity. By the end of the presentation, you will be provided with the tools to identify SIDS, understand financial manipulation, and implement legal and financial recourse to ensure fair settlements.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a clear understanding of Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome (SIDS) and it’s use in financial manipulation during divorce.
- Identify red flags that imply income is being hidden, including inconsistencies between reported earnings and lifestyle.
- Learn how to apply forensic investigative techniques to uncover hidden assets, underreported income, and false financial reporting.
- Develop strategies for legal and financial recourse to ensure a fair and equitable divorce settlement, protecting clients’ financial interests.
- Understand the tools and resources available to support forensic investigations, and the role of financial experts in the divorce process.
Please note that the conference is live and in-person in Denver, Colorado - United States. All schedules shown in the conference agenda are in central standard.

Michele M. Laws
CDFA, CVA, MAFF
President of Turning Point Financial Group and Divorce Dollars & Sense Corporation
For over 20 years, Michele has been the trusted guide for individuals navigating life’s biggest financial crossroads—whether it’s a fresh start after divorce or finding stability as a widow. With a B.A. in Business and a specialization in finance, Michele combines expertise with empathy to help her clients make sense of financial change. Her impressive credentials include Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), and Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF), showcasing her ability to tackle even the most complex financial situations. As an Investment Advisor Representative with Port Side Wealth Group LLC, an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor, Michele brings clarity and confidence to every step of her clients’ journeys. All named entities are unaffiliated.
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