Roth accounts are everywhere. Your 401(k) has a Roth option. People are talking about Roth conversions. You’ve probably heard of the backdoor Roth IRA strategy. It sounds smart… and it probably is. However, for high-income earners, Roth strategies come with more complexity than most people realize.

Does this sound familiar?  

 You’re earning good money, you’ve put in the years (decades?) to get to here.  Maybe you’ve been promoted a few times, or you’re both working demanding jobs that finally pay what they should. The income looks strong on paper and you thought everything would feel “buttoned-up” when you reached this point… But somehow, your financial life doesn’t feel as organized as it should be.

You’re in your 40s, household income is climbing north of $300-400k.  Most months, it feels like you’re doing fine. The bills are covered, life is busy, and things are generally moving forward.

But something keeps nagging at you.

Most business owners think about selling their company once. However - there are other instances that may not be top of mind... What happens if a partner passes away? What if someone wants out earlier than expected? What if you plan to transition the business to family over time?

 That’s where a buy-sell agreement comes in. 

When selling a business, one of the most overlooked questions is what to do with the real estate. Whether it's an office building, a warehouse, or a portfolio of locations, the decision to sell or keep the property can have significant tax, cash flow, and long-term wealth implications. And while many owners assume the real estate sale should go hand-in-hand with the business sale, that's not always the best strategy.

The decision to sell a business often focuses on valuation, timing, and finding the right buyer. But behind the scenes, one of the biggest factors in what you keep after the sale is how the deal is structured from a tax perspective.

When you're selling a business, the most important decisions are ones most owners have never had to think about before.

What’s the best way to pay myself now that the business is no longer there?

It’s a question many owners ask after a sale. For years, income came from salary, distributions, or quarterly bonuses tied to the business. Now that structure is gone, and even with liquidity in place, the absence of steady cash flow can feel unsettling.

Creating a personal income plan that provides stability, tax efficiency, and long-term flexibility is essential.