Gubbels Law Office Joins McDonough Law Group, Expanding Legal Services in Castle Rock

Longtime Castle Rock Law Office Joins Multi-State Firm While Continuing Its Legacy of Community Service

After nearly four decades of serving the Castle Rock community, Gubbels Law Office has officially become part of McDonough Law Group, a full-service law firm with offices and licensed attorneys across the United States. The transition ensures that clients will continue to receive the trusted legal service they have relied on for years while gaining access to a broader range of legal resources.

Attorney Darrell J. Gubbels founded Gubbels Law Office in Castle Rock in 1986 and has been a respected member of the local legal and civic community ever since. Darrell will remain with the firm through the end of 2026, when he plans to retire after more than 45 years of practicing law. Throughout his career, he has helped generations of clients with estate planning, real estate matters, and other legal needs.

“Serving the Castle Rock community has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” said Gubbels. “I am grateful for the trust so many clients have placed in me over the years. Joining McDonough Law Group ensures our clients will continue to receive excellent service and expanded legal support for years to come.”

Attorney Jaime L. Stewart, who has worked alongside Gubbels for over 20 years, will continue serving clients as part of McDonough Law Group. Jaime focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, real estate, guardianship, and conservatorship matters and looks forward to continuing her work with both long-time and new clients.

With the addition of the Castle Rock office, McDonough Law Group continues its growth throughout the western United States. The firm has attorneys licensed in Colorado, Wyoming, California, Idaho, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Washington, New York, Texas, and Guam, and provides services across numerous practice areas including water law, tax law, estate planning, business and corporate law, energy and natural resources, equine law, family law, personal injury, litigation, trademarks, real estate, and sports law.

“We are thrilled to become part of the Castle Rock community and to build on the legacy that Darrell Gubbels has established here,” said Crystal J. McDonough, founder of McDonough Law Group. “Our goal is to continue providing the same trusted local service while expanding the legal resources available to clients.”

The firm invites clients, community members, and local businesses to attend an Open House to celebrate the transition:

Wednesday, April 15
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
103 Fourth Street, Suite 120
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Food and refreshments will be served. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Crystal McDonough as well as attorneys Marc E. Summers, Darrell Gubbels, and Jaime L. Stewart and learn more about the expanded legal services now available to the community.

For more information about McDonough Law Group or the Castle Rock office, please contact the office directly at: 303-688-1655.

Protecting Your Pets Through Estate Planning

For many people, pets are family. Yet when it comes to estate planning, beloved dogs, cats, horses, and other animals are often overlooked. If something unexpected happens, important questions arise: Who will take care of your pets? Where will they live? Will their new caregiver have the resources to properly care for them? Without clear planning, these decisions may be left to the courts or to family members who may be unprepared—or unwilling—to step in.

Including pets in your will or estate plan allows you to choose a trusted caregiver and clearly outline your wishes. You can specify who should take your pets, where they should live, and the type of care they should receive. This ensures your pets are placed in a stable, loving environment rather than facing uncertainty or placement in a shelter.

Funding is another critical consideration. Pets come with ongoing expenses such as food, veterinary care, grooming, and boarding. By setting aside funds through a will or a pet trust, you help ensure that your chosen caregiver has the financial support needed to care for your pets without added burden. Thoughtful planning can also account for pets with special medical or long-term care needs.

Your estate plan should reflect what matters most to you—and for many, that includes their “fur babies.” Taking the time now to include your pets in your planning provides peace of mind, knowing they will be loved and cared for no matter what the future holds.

Call the McDonough Law Group office to schedule a time to either create or update your will or estate plan to include your beloved pets.

Estate Planning Isn’t About Age—It’s About Protecting Your Future

Many people assume that wills and estate plans are only necessary later in life, but that misconception leaves many young adults unprotected. In reality, estate planning is about preparation and protection, not age. Whether you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, having a plan in place ensures that your wishes are known and respected if the unexpected happens.

If you have a child, estate planning becomes especially important. A will allows you to name a guardian for your children—something the courts will otherwise decide for you. Without clear instructions, loved ones may face uncertainty, delays, or even disputes during an already emotional time. An estate plan also helps ensure financial resources are managed responsibly for your child’s future.

Pets are another often-overlooked reason young adults should consider a will. While pets are family, the law treats them as property. Having a plan in place allows you to designate who will care for your pet and even set aside funds for their care. Without this guidance, your pet’s future may be uncertain or left to chance.

Owning a home, vehicle, business interest, or other assets is another strong reason to plan early. A will helps ensure your property goes to the people you choose and avoids unnecessary complications, delays, or added expenses for your loved ones. Even modest estates benefit from clear instructions, beneficiary designations, and thoughtful planning.

Estate plans are not just for older adults—they’re for anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and plan for the unexpected. Starting early allows you to build a flexible plan that grows with you as life changes. If you have questions or would like to get started, please contact us.

Estate Planning for Growing Families

As families grow, life becomes fuller—and more complex. With children, shared assets, and changing responsibilities, estate planning becomes an essential step in protecting the people you love most. Estate planning isn’t just about money; it’s about making sure your family is cared for and your wishes are clear if the unexpected happens.

One of the most important reasons growing families need an estate plan is to decide who will care for your children if something happens to you. Without a will, the court—not your family—will decide who becomes their guardian. Naming a guardian in advance gives you peace of mind and helps avoid confusion, conflict, or delays during an already difficult time.

Financial security is another key part of estate planning. Parents often ask, “Will my children be provided for?” A well-designed estate plan helps ensure that assets are managed responsibly and used for your children’s needs, such as housing, education, and healthcare. For families with special needs children, proper planning is even more critical. A special needs trust can provide financial support without putting important government benefits at risk.

Life changes quickly, and estate plans should evolve with it. Marriage, divorce, welcoming new children, or blending families are all major milestones that should trigger a review or update to your will and estate plan. Keeping your plan current ensures it reflects your family’s structure, priorities, and long-term goals.

Planning ahead is a gift to your family. When estate plans are in place, loved ones are spared unnecessary stress, uncertainty, and conflict during an already emotional time. Taking the time to plan now helps ensure your family is protected, supported, and guided by your wishes—no matter what the future holds.

If you have children, if your family is growing or family structure has changed, now is the right time to start the conversation. Contact McDonough Law Group to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced estate planning attorneys and take the first step toward protecting your family’s future.

Buying or Selling a Horse or Livestock in Colorado? Don’t Forget Brand Inspection

If you’re buying or selling a horse or other livestock in Colorado, brand inspection is a critical step that often gets overlooked. Colorado requires brand inspection in many situations, including any change of ownership, transporting livestock more than 75 miles within the state, moving animals out of state, or taking livestock to sale or slaughter. The goal is to verify ownership, deter theft, and protect both buyers and sellers throughout the transaction.

Colorado’s Brand Inspection Division is responsible for verifying ownership before transfers or transport, licensing livestock markets and feedlots, regulating alternative livestock, and maintaining records for more than 30,000 registered livestock brands statewide. Failing to comply with brand inspection requirements can lead to delays, disputes, or unexpected legal issues—especially during time-sensitive sales or transport.

Beyond brand inspection, properly documented horse and livestock sale contracts are essential. A written agreement can clarify payment terms, transfer of ownership, risk of loss, health representations, and liability after the sale. Whether you’re a private seller, buyer, breeder, or ranch operation, having a clear contract helps protect your interests and avoid misunderstandings down the road.

The attorneys at McDonough Law Group assist clients with horse and livestock sale contracts, ownership transfers, and related equine and agricultural legal issues. If you’re planning a sale or purchase, we can help ensure your transaction is properly documented and compliant—so you can move forward with confidence. Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your plans.

New Year, New Business

By: Crystal McDonough

The new year brings with it a sense of reflection of the past year and a look towards things we want to accomplish in the new year.  It’s also a great time to take stock in personal and professional business interests whether you have an existing business operation or plan to start a new business.  The structure of your business is just as important as the employees you hire, the product or service you provide, and the connection with your local community.  Your business structure provides the legal platform that defines the operation, provides for a tax structure, and determines the level of liability protection or exposure to you personally and to your business.

There are many options when it comes to business ownership.  It is necessary have a deep understanding of your business and goals and weigh those with the different types of business structures required to meet those goals.  The most common ownership structures include the following.

• Sole Proprietor
• Partnership
• LLC (limited liability company)
• Corporation

There are other variations of the above, and each state has its own laws regarding the types and requirements for legal business structures.  Each state has it’s own business registration process, typically through the Secretary of State.  For purposes of this discussion, I am examining some of the most common business structures.

There is often confusion between a business’s legal entity and structure and the IRS’s tax structure.  The IRS’s most common tax structures for businesses are as follows. (This is not tax advice.  There are many business tax intricacies, and you should contact a qualified CPA or tax advisor for any tax advice.)

• Disregarded Entity
• Partnership
• S-Corporation
• C-Corporation

The tax structure and the business legal structure can be the same, but these may also be two different distinctions.  It is important to note the differences.  For example, I work with many professionals who frequently refer to a business’s tax structure rather than the business’s legal structure which can be confusing for some business owners.

Sole Proprietor

A sole proprietor is a business owned by a single individual and is taxed by the IRS as a disregarded entity where the individual owner is responsible for all tax liability.  From a liability perspective, there is no legal distinction between the business or individual.  If the business gets sued, there is no liability protection for the owner.  The individual owner is personally liable for any business liability such as debts, lawsuits, taxes, etc.  Any and all liability of the business is borne entirely by the individual business owner. 

Partnership

A partnership is made of two or more people who are doing business together.  A general partnership has the same liability risk as a sole proprietorship.  The partners typically have no liability protection and are personally liable for any business liability such as debts, lawsuits, taxes, etc.  Many states have variations of partnerships which may or may not offer some varying degrees of liability protection; however, it is important to know your state’s specific rules so that you fully understand your liability risk.

LLC

LLCs are the most often misunderstood business structure because the IRS does not recognize a specific LLC tax structure.  Wyoming invented the LLC business structure to provided liability protection for business owners but at the same time offering an alternative to the corporate structure.  LLC owners are called “members” rather than shareholders (as in a corporation).  All states now recognize some form of LLC, but each state has specific state laws and rules governing LLC formation and management that must be followed in order to shield individual owners from liability.  Liability protection and business flexibility are the most often cited reason for business owners to choose the LLC business structure.  The IRS allows the LLC owner to choose the tax structure.  The default tax structure is a disregarded entity for single member llcs or a partnership for two or more members.  LLCs may also elect to be taxed as an S-Corporation or C-Corporation.  It is recommended that CPAs or tax advisors work with the LLC to determine the appropriate tax structure.  

Corporation

Corporations are one of the oldest forms of business structures in the U.S. and date back to the 1800s.  Modern corporations are state specific with shareholders owning shares of the corporation.  A board of directors and officers are elected by the shareholders to manage the business of the corporation.  States have laws regarding business formalities that must be followed in order to maintain liability protection.  The IRS allows corporations to choose whether to be taxed as an S-Corporation or C-Corporation.  Again, it is recommended that CPAs or tax advisors work with the LLC to determine the appropriate tax structure. 

If you are starting a new business it is important to consider all the options to make sure the business structure meets your needs and goals.  If you have an existing business, it is important to evaluate your business to make sure the current structure is still meeting the business needs and goals.  As businesses grow and change, sometimes a business needs to be reorganized or modified to make sure that the structure can facilitate growth or changes over time.  Regardless of your business situation, it is important to consult your attorney and tax advisor for appropriate advice and recommendations.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your plans.