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What We Learned in 2025 and What It Means for You in 2026

For As Your Counsel, 2026 presents opportunities to build on these lessons while expanding our support for Oregon's entrepreneurs and families. Whether forming your first LLC, negotiating a complex commercial lease, implementing a comprehensive estate plan, or navigating consumer protection challenges, our goal remains constant: translating legal complexity into strategic advantage and ensuring your vision becomes reality. That's what 2025 taught us, and that's what we'll carry into 2026.

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Sunny Kakwani
Know Your Rights: A Renter's Guide to Common Housing Issues

Essential tenant rights include:

  • The warranty of habitability (safe structure, working utilities, no serious hazards)

  • Fair housing protections and the right to reasonable accommodations for disabilities

  • Right to quiet enjoyment and advance notice before landlord entry

  • Timely return of security deposits with itemized deductions

  • Protection of personal belongings during and after your tenancy

  • Advance notice and limits on rent increases

  • Due process protections 

Knowing and asserting these rights gives you the confidence to address problems as they arise and maintain a stable living environment. If you're facing any housing issues, As Your Counsel is here to help you navigate the process and protect your rights.

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Sunny Kakwani
Green Contracting 101: How Small Businesses Can Embed Climate Action Into their Agreements.

Every vendor agreement, lease, and service contract you sign can either reinforce business-as-usual—or help shift economic activity toward a decarbonized world; they can shape the world you want to build. Green contracting is one of the fastest, most scalable ways to reduce emissions. Unlike massive policy overhauls, contract changes: 

  • Can be implemented immediately 

  • Apply to everyday operations (waste removal, HVAC, sourcing) 

  • Encourage your vendors to meet your sustainability goals 

  • Reduce future compliance and liability risks

Small and medium-sized businesses make up 90% of companies worldwide. SMEs have a unique advantage: agility. You can move faster than large corporations, access green markets, and build climate resilience into your operations now. And the businesses that act early gain long-term advantages in efficiency, reputation, and resilience. If you're ready to embed sustainability into your business agreements, we're here to help. Let's build a legal ecosystem aligned with your values.

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Sunny Kakwani
The Truth About Revocable Living Trusts: Beyond the Basics 🔍⚖️

Estate planning is important for everyone. However, there is no single estate planning vehicle which is right for everyone. A revocable living trust is a powerful estate planning tool that offers numerous benefits for Oregonians seeking to protect their assets, provide for their loved ones, and ensure a smooth transition of wealth. By avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, and providing ease of asset management during incapacity, a revocable living trust can save your family time, money, and stress during an already difficult time. However, it is important to fully understand the logistics and legal steps necessary to fund the trust for it to be effective.

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Sunny Kakwani
Probate Demystified: A Strategic Approach to Estate Planning

In our first installment, we demystify probate - discover why probate isn't the boogeyman it's often made out to be, and learn how it can offer protection and finality for your estate.  We're pulling back the curtain on this crucial legal process, revealing how it can be a powerful ally in protecting your legacy and providing closure for your loved ones. We challenge the notion that avoiding probate should be your default strategy, offering a fresh perspective on this crucial aspect of estate planning.

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