Dara Joy Goldsmith
Dara J. Goldsmith was born and raised in Southern California. She enrolled at California State University Northridge at the age of 16, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1987. While at Northridge, Dara was active in a wide range of campus and community activities and was selected the University’s 25th Homecoming Queen.
After graduating from Northridge, Dara attended Pepperdine University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor in 1990, followed by a Masters of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from the University of Miami (1991 curriculum/1994 thesis).
After completing her coursework at the University of Miami, Dara moved to Las Vegas, where she passed the Nevada Bar Exam and began her legal career. Dara joined forces with Marjorie Guymon to establish Goldsmith & Guymon in 1996. Dara is also licensed in California, Arizona, and Hawaii.
Dara has been involved in many professional and philanthropic organizations throughout her career, including serving on the Nevada State Bar Board of Governors, as President of the Clark County Bar Association, and as Chairperson of the Nevada Community Foundation and of the Nevada Law Foundation/Justice League.
In addition to being recognized as a Nevada Super Lawyer, a Mountain States Super Lawyer, and one of the Top 50 Women Mountain States Super Lawyers, Dara has received numerous awards, including the Nevada Legal Services Pro Bono Guardianship Attorney of the Year, the Presidential Award and the Medal of Justice from the State Bar of Nevada, and the Lloyd D. George Award of Professionalism from the Clark County Bar Association and State Bar of Nevada.
Dara holds an AV Preeminent rating, the highest rating possible as voted by her peers, and recognized through Martindale Hubbell.
Dara is an accomplished swimmer and triathlete and can often be found in a pool, ocean, lake, or river. A competitive swimmer on Las Vegas Masters Swim Team, Dara competes in pool and open water meets throughout the country.
- Business Law
- Estate Planning
- Tax Law
- Elder Law
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
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Free Consultation
Free 30 minute probate consultations. Most other initial consultations range between $100-300. - Credit Cards Accepted
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Contingent Fees
Only in probate matters in accordance with Nevada law. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Fees range from $225-$525 per hour for attorneys in the firm. My rates range from $475-$525 per hour.
- Arizona
- State Bar of Arizona
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- California
- ID Number: 153754
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- Hawaii
- Hawaii State Bar Association
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- Nevada
- State Bar of Nevada
- ID Number: 4270
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- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- University of Miami School of Law
- LL.M. (1994) | Taxation
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- Pepperdine University School of Law
- J.D. (1990)
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- California State University - Northridge
- Undergraduate Degree (1987) | Economics with an Emphasis in Finance
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- Activities: Alpha Phi Fraternity, Panhellenic Council- Vice President
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- Guardianship Attorney of the Year
- Nevada Legal Services
- Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
- Legal Aid Cetner of Southern Nevada
- President's Award
- State Bar of Nevada
- Lloyd D. George Professionalism Award
- State Bar of Nevada
- Philanthropy
- Nevada Women of Distinction
- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
- Member
- Current
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- Southern Nevada Estate Planning Counsel
- Member
- Current
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- California State Bar # 153754
- Member
- - Current
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- State Bar of Nevada
- Member
- - Current
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- State Bar of Nevada
- Board of Governors
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- Clark County Bar Association
- Board of Directors
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- Activities: Chairperson, 2000
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- Q. Can I challenge a will allegedly signed under coercion in Nevada?
- A: I previously answered a similar question that you asked. I agree with my colleague Mr. Reed. I urge you to have an attorney review the court file and your documents to determine your available avenues, if any, timing and costs. I urge you to seek counsel now.
- Q. How to become executor of deceased son's estate in Nevada to claim accident settlement?
- A: I am sorry for your loss. As I am sure you have learned your power of attorney is no longer effective. If you are named in your son’s Last Will and Testament as the person named to be his Executrix, you may petition the probate court to be so appointed if there is no Will you would be petitioning to be appointed as Administratrix. The self help center at the court has forms to assist you. However, it is not as easy as getting appointed and collecting the funds. You will need to administer the estate including giving notice to creditors, publishing the notice, preparing and filing an inventory and accounting, etc. you may wish to consider hiring counsel to assist you.
- Q. Can I contest a will written during dementia if probate was reopened?
- A: I am sorry for your loss. During your mother’s lifetime if she had testamentary capacity she had the ability to update or execute a Will. There is no requirement that you be notified. I urge you to speak with an attorney about your specific facts. Just being diagnosed with dementia in and of itself is not sufficient to make someone incapacitated such that she cannot execute a valid Will. Also the attorney can address the form of the Will, witnesses, any medical records that you have to give you an opinion as to success on the merits as well as the cost of pursuing such an action.
