Jeffrey Rehmeyer - Estate Planning Attorney

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Jeffrey Rehmeyer - Estate Planning Attorney Do you need assistance in protecting your future and the futures of your loved ones? I can help.

As an estate planning attorney, I provide guidance and information to enable you to plan and to protect those whom you love and causes dear to you.

Selling Real Estate from an Estate: Option 1 – Public AuctionI am often involved in the sale of real estate. And many ti...
10/15/2026

Selling Real Estate from an Estate: Option 1 – Public Auction

I am often involved in the sale of real estate. And many times, an estate is the seller. There are a few ways to accomplish such a sale.

Recently, I attended a public auction. The auctioneer was selling personal property, but the real estate was also being offered for sale.

Many people don’t realize that a public auction can be an effective way to sell real estate during estate administration.

An auction creates a specific date for the sale and brings interested buyers together to compete for the property. It can be particularly useful when an estate includes a home that needs updating, a unique property, or real estate that may attract several interested buyers.

One advantage is that the estate can establish a defined timetable for the sale. Depending on the auction terms, the property may also be sold in its existing condition, with limited contingencies.

Of course, there are considerations. The final price depends on the bidders who participate, and the estate needs to understand the auctioneer’s fees, advertising expenses, and terms of sale.

An auction isn’t right for every estate, but it is an option worth considering.

In my next post, I’ll discuss the more traditional approach: selling estate real estate through a real estate agent.

Have a Face-to-Face Meeting Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with a new client who had been referred to me. He ca...
10/06/2026

Have a Face-to-Face Meeting

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with a new client who had been referred to me. He came to me asking for a Revocable Living Trust, so I began preparing one for him.

After reviewing the drafts, he came back with a number of questions, including questions about other options that might be available to him. So, we sat down and talked. We discussed Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts. We talked about taxes, creditor protection, convenience for his daughter after his death, and even Medicaid planning. Most importantly, I was able to answer his questions, explain the alternatives, and give him a framework for deciding what made sense for him.

He ultimately decided to move forward with the Revocable Living Trust.

During our conversation, he told me that he had also contacted another law office. He was able to speak with a paralegal but not an attorney. During his second attempt to find a lawyer, he was directed to attend a seminar about a relatively expensive trust & estate planning package. He left the seminar within minutes.

The world is changing in countless ways. Very little seems to be getting less complicated. At the same time, we have remarkable new tools, including technology such as AI, which can help us understand our options and work more efficiently.

But my meeting with this client reinforced something much more traditional: there is still tremendous value in a good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation.

If you have legal needs, keep that in mind. An attorney who is willing to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain your options may ultimately be the most effective ways to proceed.

Despite everything that is changing around us, life is still about relationships. Your relationship with your attorney is an important one.

A quick reminder to my clients and friends who may be buying, selling, or refinancing real estate:Much of my law practic...
09/18/2026

A quick reminder to my clients and friends who may be buying, selling, or refinancing real estate:

Much of my law practice focuses on estate planning and real estate, areas that often overlap more than people might realize. I’m also a licensed title insurance agent and regularly handle residential and commercial real estate transactions and closings.

Having an attorney involved in your real estate transaction does not have to mean additional cost. When I handle the title work and closing, you pay the same all-inclusive title insurance premium, with no additional attorney’s fee for the closing.

The difference is that you also have an experienced real estate attorney involved throughout the transaction who can help identify issues, answer questions, protect your interests, and keep things moving toward settlement.

And closings don’t need to be painful. My goal is always an efficient and even enjoyable closing.

So, before you buy, sell, or refinance, give me a call. I’d be happy to help.

I had a few terrific client meetings today, in my favorite conference room — Pete’s Perch — on the 4th floor of our York...
06/12/2026

I had a few terrific client meetings today, in my favorite conference room — Pete’s Perch — on the 4th floor of our York office.

One couple, who are very successful business owners, commented that they’ve made so many significant decisions in the Perch. I appreciate them, the opportunity to support their endeavors, and what is now a longstanding relationship.

Success is truly based upon relationships. Relationships are built on trust. And trust is earned over time.

Have a great weekend!

Enjoyed the opportunity to educate employees of York County about estate planning & administration as a co-presenter wit...
06/03/2026

Enjoyed the opportunity to educate employees of York County about estate planning & administration as a co-presenter with the Register of Wills. We highlighted important documents (including Wills, POAs & Trusts), key decisions, taxes, and charitable giving. Our group was engaged and asked great questions.

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...
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.

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135 North George Street
York, PA
17401

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