Jeffrey Rehmeyer - Estate Planning Attorney

04/17/2026

While taxes are still on our minds, let’s consider the power of a Step-Up in Basis — A key tax advantage for real estate and appreciated assets

“I want to transfer my house to my kids now to avoid inheritance tax. That makes sense, right?”

It’s a common question. And while the instinct is understandable, the answer is often NO. In many cases, transferring appreciated assets during life can create a larger tax problem than it solves. Let’s talk about the power of a step-up in basis, which is a key tax advantage for real estate and appreciated assets.

What is “basis”? “Basis” is the value used to calculate capital gains tax. If you buy a property for $200,000 and later sell it for $600,000, then you have a $400,000 gain That gain is taxable.

What happens if you transfer during life? If you gift your house to your children, they receive your original basis.
Your basis: $200,000
Value at time of gift: $600,000
Their basis: still $200,000
If they sell, they pay tax on the full $400,000 gain.

What is the step-up in basis advantage? At death, most appreciated assets receive a new basis equal to fair market value.
Using the same numbers:
Value at death: $600,000
New basis: $600,000
If your children sell for $600,000, there is no capital gains tax.

Same asset. Same value. Very different tax result.

Real estate is often where this matters most:
-Eliminates decades of appreciation from taxation
-Resets depreciation on rental properties, avoiding recapture issues
-Gives heirs flexibility to sell or hold without tax pressure

But it’s not just real estate
The same rule applies to:
-Stocks and investment accounts
-Business interests
-Other appreciated assets

Low-basis, high-value assets carry the greatest hidden tax risk.

What about inheritance tax?

In Pennsylvania, inheritance likely applies to transfers at death. But in many cases, the capital gains tax saved through a step-up in basis far exceeds the inheritance tax cost. Each situation should be evaluated carefully.

In summary, before transferring real estate or other appreciated assets during life, it is critical to consider the loss of the step-up in basis.

Estate planning is not just about avoiding one tax. It’s about minimizing the total tax burden and preserving the most value for your family.

If you have questions or want to talk, please let me know.

02/07/2026

The total net worth of all Pennsylvania households now exceeds $5 trillion. Over the next decade, over $418 billion is expected to transfer from one generation to the next. Over the next fifty years, that number approaches $3 trillion. This so-called “Great Wealth Transfer” is not abstract. It may involve you, your parents, or both.

That reality makes estate planning more important than ever. At its core, estate planning is a thoughtful review of assets, liabilities, and personal wishes. It allows you to determine what happens to your property, who receives it, and under what terms. Those decisions should be made deliberately, not left to chance or default rules.

A properly prepared Last Will and Testament, whether standing alone or coordinated with a trust, can provide clarity, carry out final wishes, reduce confusion, and minimize conflict. When planning is done well, it simplifies matters for the people you care about most.

Too often, I am asked to step in after the fact, when no planning was done or when documents were prepared incorrectly. In those situations, the process is almost always more time-consuming, more expensive, and sometimes impossible to fully fix.

It is early in the year. This is a good time to review your estate planning and encourage loved ones to do the same. Make sure your documents reflect your current wishes, your assets are aligned with your plan, and the people you care about are protected.

Planning now is almost always easier than repairing later.

01/09/2026

A new year often brings with it new goals or a reaffirmation to complete prior goals. A common goal that I often hear is to complete estate planning, whether for the first time or in a long time. And the best way to start is to gather information and make some decisions. A questionnaire can begin that process.

Estate planning is one of the most important steps individuals and families can take to secure their financial future, protect their loved ones, and implement their wishes. Many people are unsure of how to plan though. That’s when a well-crafted estate planning questionnaire comes in—it provides a clear, organized starting point that helps to streamline the process and to lay a solid foundation for future decisions. Here are a few reasons why:

1. PROVIDES A COMPLETE PICTURE. A questionnaire collects details about:

-Personal & family information
-Assets & liabilities
-Income sources & retirement accounts
-Insurance policies
-Existing estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.)
-Specific wishes for distribution of assets, guardianship of minor children, and charitable giving

2. SAVES TIME AND REDUCES OVERSIGHTS. Without a questionnaire, details like forgotten bank accounts, out-of-date beneficiaries, or personal wishes that were never documented, are frequently overlooked. A questionnaire acts like a checklist, prompting individuals to think through various scenarios and ensuring that nothing critical is missed. It also helps professionals provide advice more efficiently, reducing the time and fees associated with multiple back-and-forth conversations.

3. CLARIFIES GOALS & PRIORITIES. The act of answering the questionnaire forces people to think about what matters most: Who do they trust to make decisions if they can’t? What kind of legacy do they want to leave? How do they want their assets distributed? These questions prompt deeper reflection and help align financial and legal strategies with personal values.

4. ENCOURAGES FAMILY COMMUNICATION. Estate planning can involve difficult conversations. A questionnaire helps open the door to those discussions by putting the topics on the table in a structured and non-emotional way. It also encourages you to talk with your spouse, children, or other heirs about your wishes and responsibilities. It aids in avoiding conflict and confusion after your death too.

5. ESTABLISHES A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP. When shared with an estate planning attorney, a completed questionnaire allows the professional to come to the meeting already informed and ready to provide tailored guidance. It builds trust and shows that you are ready to get organized and make thoughtful decisions.

Starting with an estate planning questionnaire is more than just paperwork—it’s a powerful first step toward peace of mind. It helps you take control of your future, protect the people you love, and leave behind a legacy that reflects your values.

01/01/2026

Thoughtful planning has a way of outlasting the moment it’s made. As this day draws to a close, I offer you best wishes for a healthy New Year and time well spent with the people who matter.

12/16/2025

It was a pleasure to serve on this Advisory Board. Penn State York supported its students and served our community very well.

06/19/2025

“Jeff, thank you. We appreciated seeing you. You were exactly what I remembered and exactly what we were hoping for. The experience with your office has been excellent.”

I recently completed estate planning for a gentleman that I met many years ago. He came seeking assistance, as his wife has recently been diagnosed with a disease that was diminishing her quality of life. We met about estate planning documents, starting with Advanced Healthcare Directive (Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will) and Powers of Attorney. After the appointment when the documents were reviewed and signed, I received a message from the client with the compliment above.

Estate planning is very important. It can be intimidating and challenging. My goal is to make the process easier and help get it done.

05/12/2025

The Importance of a Questionnaire to Start the Estate Planning Process

Estate planning is one of the most important steps individuals and families can take to secure their financial future, protect their loved ones, and implement their wishes. Many people are unsure of how to plan though. That’s when a well-crafted estate planning questionnaire comes in—it provides a clear, organized starting point that helps to streamline the process and to lay a solid foundation for future decisions.

Why Start with a Questionnaire?

An estate planning questionnaire serves as both a roadmap and a discovery tool. It helps individuals gather and organize vital information that will be essential to develop a personalized plan. By answering a series of thoughtful questions, individuals gain clarity about their current situation, their goals, and the legacy they want to leave behind. Here are a few key reasons a questionnaire is so important:

1. Provides a Complete Picture. A comprehensive estate planning questionnaire collects details about:

Personal and family information
Assets and liabilities
Income sources and retirement accounts
Insurance policies
Existing estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.)
Specific wishes for distribution of assets, guardianship of minor children, and charitable giving
Having this information in one place creates a full financial and personal profile that helps identify what steps need to be taken.



2. Saves Time and Reduces Oversights. Without a questionnaire, details like forgotten bank accounts, out-of-date beneficiaries, or personal wishes that were never documented, are frequently overlooked. A questionnaire acts like a checklist, prompting individuals to think through various scenarios and ensuring that nothing critical is missed. It also helps professionals provide advice more efficiently, reducing the time and fees associated with multiple back-and-forth conversations.



3. Clarifies Goals and Priorities. The act of answering the questionnaire forces people to think about what matters most: Who do they trust to make decisions if they can’t? What kind of legacy do they want to leave? How do they want their assets distributed? These questions prompt deeper reflection and help align financial and legal strategies with personal values.



4. Encourages Family Communication. Estate planning can involve difficult conversations. A questionnaire helps open the door to those discussions by putting the topics on the table in a structured and non-emotional way. It also encourages you to talk with your spouse, children, or other heirs about your wishes and responsibilities. It aids in avoiding conflict and confusion after your death too.



5. Establishes a Professional Relationship. When shared with an estate planning attorney, a completed questionnaire allows the professional to come to the meeting already informed and ready to provide tailored guidance. It builds trust and shows that you are ready to get organized and make thoughtful decisions.



Starting with an estate planning questionnaire is more than just paperwork—it’s a powerful first step toward peace of mind. It helps you take control of your future, protect the people you love, and leave behind a legacy that reflects your values. Whether you’re just getting started or updating an existing plan, investing the time to complete a questionnaire can make the entire process smoother, more meaningful, and ultimately more effective.

If you’re considering estate planning, start with the basics: gather your information, reflect on your goals, and complete a questionnaire. It may be the single most important document you fill out this year! If you need a questionnaire, you can see one in the appendix of my book -- The S.M.A.R.T. Estate Plan. Or, contact me directly at [email protected], and I will send you one.

04/30/2025

04/14/2025

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good… meaning don’t wait for the “perfect time” to create your Will. When pop singer Prince died at age 57 without a Will, his $150M estate was left to be dealt with by Minnesota state law, and as such, was open and available for public scrutiny. A little bit of planning today can save your loved ones additional heartache.

If you are ready to start planning, click here https://www.cgalaw.com/estate-planning-book/ and let’s set you and your family on the path to security.

Written by CGA Law Firm Attorney Jeffrey Rehmeyer, The S.M.A.R.T. Estate Plan book, is a step-by-step guide to protecting you and your family.

03/11/2025

This was a wonderful speaking engagement. If you are part of an organization, and would like me to come present, please let me know!

03/10/2025

It's never too early, but it can be too late. As an attorney, I have seen the chaos that can happen when there is no estate plan. Parents, once your child is an adult, your legal access to things such as their medical and financial records is limited.

Here are 3 reasons why your adult child needs an estate plan from The S.M.A.R.T. Estate Plan book.