$ 100-500 per hour
Laura D. Heard
also known as South TX Family Law, formerly Laura D. Heard Law Firm Inc., The LDH Law Firm Inc.
About Laura
Biography
My entire legal career has been based in San Antonio, Texas, where I am a lifelong resident. I am the owner of South TX Family Law Group. From San Antonio, I have been privileged to represent clients in courts all across the State of Texas. I graduated in the top 10% of my law school class and have been practicing law for more than 35 years in Texas. I graduated "with Honors" from Baylor University and "with Distinction" from St. Mary's Law School in San Antonio. I was a briefing attorney for the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio, and I was twice named as one of the top appellate lawyers and a top Family Lawyer in "Scene in San Antonio" magazine. I am a strong advocate for children, and have represented children for 21 years in cases involving child protective services. I participated twice in a 20-mile walk to help prevent child abuse. I also represent many elderly people in wills, guardianships, probate and estate planning. Most of all, I am diligent to provide excellent legal advice. My motto is "Justice Flows from Truth, Compassion, Wisdom, and Persistence."(tm) I work hard to provide compassionate, efficient service to all my clients, always working within the bounds of the law. I am a published author, speaker, mediator, and small business owner. I am also a mother, a grandmother, a pet owner, an avid Spurs basketball and Baylor Bear football fan. My book available on Amazon is entitled "Divorce and Estate Planning in Texas: How to Plan Ahead for the Unexpected and Save Your Family's Future."
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 38 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
South TX Family Law, formerly Laura D. Heard Law Firm Inc.
14607 San Pedro Ave #205, San Antonio, TX, 78232
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Laura D. Heard's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
13 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (13)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 13 reviews
Posted by Liz | July 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney
MS. Liz
Laura advised and helped us get our paperwork in order. She is very knowledgeable and always willing to help. I would highly recommend her.
Laura Heard
Replied last November 01, 2022Your review made my day. Thank you, Liz. I am always happy to help people with legal documents and estate planning.
Posted by anonymous | December 19, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Lazy, incompetent
Should have been a quick and easy divorce but she was horrible in getting things done and made errors
Laura Heard
Replied last November 01, 2022I do not know who "anonymous" is, but please call my office so I can fix or explain. It is difficult to know from your comment what went wrong. I don't get many negative reviews but when I do, I sometimes find that it is actually the opposing party to the divorce who isn't happy because I represented their ex-spouse pretty well. I am at my office 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, unless I'm at the courthouse, at a continuing education seminar, or making a house call for a client who is homebound, so I assure you that I am not lazy, plus I have a full staff. If I or someone on my staff failed you in some way, I would sure like to apologize to you in person. Could it be that your ex-spouse would not cooperate and the reason it wasn't "quick and easy" was because of what they did? There are many factors beyond my control. In December 2019, the world was beginning to notice COVID, and in fact, I had two staff members in the hospital on respirators a month later. We are back to full force and ready to help you if we only knew who left this review.
Posted by BERNARDO BERNAL | April 07, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
I made an excellent choice. Mrs. Heard is professional, reliable, well organized, friendly, courteous, and effective.
I hired Mrs. Heard as my attorney and she and her legal assistant Ms. Johnson made my lawsuit effortless. They finalized it rapidly. They responded to my calls and e-mails immediately. I would recommend Mrs. Heard to anyone.
Laura Heard
Replied last April 07, 2017Thank you! It is so nice to know that you were pleased with me and my staff. The reason we were able to finalize your divorce quickly is because whenever we asked you for a signature or document, you responded immediately. I wish you all the best in your every future endeavor.
Posted by anonymous | April 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Support
Christian values
I thought I only needed a guide to help me through a child support hearing when I hired Laura. Little did I know of the roller coaster ride ahead. I was grateful for her kindness and guiding hand through each step of the process. I went in to the courthouse each time knowing what to expect and what I...
Laura Heard
Replied last November 01, 2022Your sweet attitude and earnest desire to please God made serving you a pleasure. I am so glad your case turned out well, and that you understood resets and court delays were beyond my control. Thank you for this review and for the several clients you have referred to me. Referrals and positive reviews are essential to keeping my business open so that we can serve others.
Posted by anonymous | April 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Disappointment.
After my consultation with Laura I decided to hire her to help me with my childs custody case. I was unable to get ahold of her the majority of the time, and when I did visit with her I felt like she was numb to my situation, almost like I was talking to a wall. She never showed any compassion or sym...
Laura Heard
Replied last April 13, 2016In 2015 my office had an unusual year. I moved the office for the first time in 15 years and shortly after settling into the new place, it flooded. Due to flooding, my office moved three times in 2015. I feel terrible that someone thought I was unsympathetic to their custody battle, and my only explanation is that the circumstances of that year had me preoccupied or exhausted. I am glad that the person who wrote this also stated I answered their questions, so they cannot truly say that nothing was accomplished if I spent time answering their questions. I am sorry that I could not meet their emotional needs. Sometimes I have to tell people things that they don’t want to hear. Sometimes the law does not afford the remedy that people would like to have. Many of my clients have said that they appreciate my attentiveness, caring, and calmness. In this one instance, someone was able to find another attorney that they liked better. I truly wish that I could please everyone, but that is just not always possible.
Laura D. Heard's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Laura Heard for about 30 years, and I endorse Laura; She is smart, insightful, creative, and tenacious. You cannot go wrong with Laura."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a good lawyer, and she has good common sense."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Martin McReynolds
Environmental and natural resources lawyer
Michael McReynolds
Oil and gas lawyer
Richard Tye
Probate lawyer
Karen Marvel
Child support lawyer
Gerald Uretsky
Family lawyer
Deanna Whitley
Divorce and separation lawyer
Irene Cadena
Family lawyer
Mary Valdez
Family lawyer
Laura Winget-Hernandez
Family lawyer
Amber Alwais
Family lawyer
Carol Bertsch
Elder law lawyer
Jo Lopez
Family lawyer
Corbin Snow
Personal injury lawyer
Alan Hicks
Personal injury lawyer
Malinda Gaul
Litigation lawyer
Kimberly Burley
Family lawyer
Pamela Huff
Intellectual property lawyer
Yolanda Huff
Criminal defense lawyer
Reba Kennedy
Appeals lawyer
Mary Fenlon
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2022
10 Best Family Law Attorneys in Texas (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2022
Superb Rating in Family Law and Probate, AVVO
2022
A+ Accredited Business (2018 thru 2022), Better Business Bureau
2021
Top Family Lawyer in San Antonio, Scene in SA Magazine
2020
10 Best Law Firms, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2019
Outstanding Lawyer in San Antonio, San Antonio Business Journal
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
San Antonio Best Lawyers, Scene in SA Magazine
1986
American Jurisprudence Awards,Domestic Relations,
1986
American Jurisprudence Award, Agency and Partnership Law,
Work Experience
1992 - Present
Attorney/Owner, The L.D.Heard Law Firm Inc.
2016 - 2017
MEDIATOR, Family Law Certified, L.D.Heard Law Firm Inc.
1996 - 2006
Adjunct Professor, Wayland Baptist University
1988 - 1992
Attorney, Soules and Wallace
1987 - 1988
Briefing Attorney, 4th Court of Appeals, San Antonio
Associations
San Antonio Bar Association
Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Elder Law Section
Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section
Member
1987 - 1988
Texas Women LawyersBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Blackthorne v. Blackthorne
TDPRS v. McFarland
McFarland children were adopted
Education
1987
St Mary's University of San Antonio School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1983
Baylor University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
1995
People's Law School - San Antonio Bar
Consumer Law
Publications
2022
Book (232 pages) by Laura D. Heard
Divorce and Estate Planning in Texas - How to Plan Ahead for the Unexpected and Save Your Family's Future, by Laura D. Heard
2007
NBI seminar, Probate: Beyond the Basics
“Ethical Issues in Probate Practice: Establishing and Following Ethical Best Practices,” by Laura D. Heard
2006
NBI seminar, Building Your Civil Trial Skills
“How to Handle Post-Trial Issues,” by Laura D. Heard,
1991
Docket Call in Civil Court, CLE seminar at St. Mary’s School of Law
Co-author: Discovery by the Book, by Luther H. Soules III and Laura D. Heard
1988
29 SO. TEX. LAW REVIEW 413
Acknowledged in: "The Will Execution Ceremony – History, Significance, and Strategies," by Gerry W. Beyer, with acknowledgment for assistance to Laura D. Heard
1987
West’s Texas Forms, Probate and Administration of Estates, vol. 12A, by Leopold and Beyer (West Publishing Co.)
Acknowledged for research in: West’s Texas Forms, Probate and Administration of Estates, vol. 12A, by Leopold and Beyer; acknowledgment at page v.
1987
Texas Wills and Estates, Cases and Materials, by Gerry W. Beyer. (Butterworth Legal Publishers)
Acknowledged for research in:Texas Wills and Estates, Cases and Materials, by Gerry W. Beyer; acknowledgment at page vii.
1986
17 ST. MARY’S LAW JOURNAL 927
A Time to Be Born, A Time to Die: Alternative Reproduction and Texas Probate Law, by Laura D. Heard
1986
18 St. Mary’s Law Journal 661
Education –House Bill 72 – Teacher Competency Testing Is a Valid Exercise of State Legislative Police Power, Recent Development: Texas State Teacher’s Ass’n v. State, 711 S.W.2d 421 (Tex. App.–Austin 1986, no writ),
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
In a divorce what if you get your name on someone else's ck account during div
14 Jan 2022
Q&A
What happens if you pass away and don’t have a will?
14 Jan 2022
Q&A
Child custody and child support?
14 Jan 2022