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I cannot say enough good things about Laura D. Heard and the team of Legal Professionals she leads at the South Texas Family Law office. Her firm is founded on the principles of truth, compassion, wisdom and persistence. Those qualities are exactly what I have consistently received during my divorce process - there is a reason this firm received the Better Business Bureau 2025 Torch Award for Ethics. Alannah Lamb listened to me with professional compassion and skill to understand my story, and my need for an attorney to truthfully represent me. I always looked forward to her welcoming voice on the phone. Hailey Harris persisted in taking the time to listen to me. She was the soothing presence when I came to the office and made each visit better. Deana McMicken patiently explained my bill whenever I had a question about it, and her professional credential as a Paralegal provides extra skill for her role as Office Manager and the need to rely on the law. She insists on truth, and doesn't deviate from it. My Paralegal is Kimberly Hernandez and she is insistent on truth being told and supporting me during the legal process. Her wisdom buoyed me up and protected me during the difficult phases of divorce. I am extremely grateful for her dedication and professional reassurance that the law will be to my benefit. My lawyer is Hector Cortes and he does not tolerate deviance from justice. My initial evaluation with him had to be on Zoom. He listened to my concerns during those 45 minutes and explained potential scenarios that could occur during my divorce. Hector used professional persistence to navigate the divorce process and relied on evidence based truths and family law during the complexities of my divorce process. He knew which Mediator to use for the combined best outcome during mediation. Hector remembers the small legal details, and that is a value I applaud him for. His prior Military experience was definitely a strength he utilized for my legal needs. So much legal wisdom was used by the entire legal team for my benefit during my family law need, a need I never thought I would need. Thank you South Texas Family Law, and thank you Laura for your friendship since 2004. I knew you would have my back and seek justice for me. You all deserve your 5 Star Reviews! Belinda Santos
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
Dear Belinda,
On behalf of the everyone at South Texas Family Law, we are deeply moved by your words. Thank you for so beautifully recognizing each member of our staff. Alannah’s compassion, Hailey’s calming presence, Deana’s steadfast integrity, Kimberly’s wisdom, honesty and reassurance, and Hector’s persistent dedication to evidence-based justice, meticulous advocacy, and his military background are all reflections of their character and unwavering commitment to our clients. It matters deeply to me and to them that you felt their care, professionalism, and persistence throughout your journey.
As you said, our firm was founded on the principles of truth, compassion, wisdom, and persistence. We are proud of that ethics award. It is our highest honor to know that you felt those qualities from every person you worked with. Entrusting me and my team with your future is a responsibility we don't take lightly. Knowing we had your back and achieved the justice you deserved is why we do what we do.
On a personal note, our friendship since 2004 has truly touched my heart. Thank you for believing in me, in this firm, and in our shared pursuit of justice. Thank you for being an example of strength and grace, and a part of our firm’s story.
From all of us at South Texas Family Law—thank you for your trust, your kindness, and your extraordinary words. We wish you nothing but peace and joy in this next chapter!
With gratitude and friendship,
Laura D. Heard
& the Team at South Texas Family Law
On behalf of the everyone at South Texas Family Law, we are deeply moved by your words. Thank you for so beautifully recognizing each member of our staff. Alannah’s compassion, Hailey’s calming presence, Deana’s steadfast integrity, Kimberly’s wisdom, honesty and reassurance, and Hector’s persistent dedication to evidence-based justice, meticulous advocacy, and his military background are all reflections of their character and unwavering commitment to our clients. It matters deeply to me and to them that you felt their care, professionalism, and persistence throughout your journey.
As you said, our firm was founded on the principles of truth, compassion, wisdom, and persistence. We are proud of that ethics award. It is our highest honor to know that you felt those qualities from every person you worked with. Entrusting me and my team with your future is a responsibility we don't take lightly. Knowing we had your back and achieved the justice you deserved is why we do what we do.
On a personal note, our friendship since 2004 has truly touched my heart. Thank you for believing in me, in this firm, and in our shared pursuit of justice. Thank you for being an example of strength and grace, and a part of our firm’s story.
From all of us at South Texas Family Law—thank you for your trust, your kindness, and your extraordinary words. We wish you nothing but peace and joy in this next chapter!
With gratitude and friendship,
Laura D. Heard
& the Team at South Texas Family Law
I had a great experience working with Julie and her Team on my prenuptial agreement. What could have been a stressful process felt smooth and straightforward to their clear guidance.
Julie and her Team were responsive, thorough, and took the time to make sure I felt comfortable and informed every step of the way. I truly felt that my best interests were protected with care and professionalism.
Julie and her team are amazing.
I’m so grateful for the consultation I received. From the very beginning, I felt heard and respected. Julie was patient, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. She broke everything down in a way that was easy to understand and made sure I felt comfortable. I truly appreciate her time and guidance.
Thank you Julie !!! 😊
Julie Boren handled my case as she transitioned over to South TX law. She did a fantastic job in advocating for me and my child in our custody case. She was able to advise me in making the best decision for my child as well as making sure that everything was done and drafted properly. I felt truly heard as a mother and a client. She worked well after hours and weekends to help me. 10/10 would recommend her for family law to anyone who asks!
I’d love to review this firm’s ability to represent, but an AI bot answering my first phone call was a poor way to start things off, so I hung up.
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly understand how important that first interaction can be when reaching out to a law firm, especially for family law matters. Feeling comfortable and heard from the very beginning matters.
Our call system is designed to help us respond promptly and ensure each inquiry is directed to the appropriate team member as efficiently as possible. That said, we recognize that not everyone prefers that type of introduction, and we’re sorry to hear it caused frustration.
We genuinely appreciate you giving us the opportunity to improve. If you’re open to it, we would welcome the chance to speak with you directly and provide the level of personal attention you deserve. Please feel free to reach out again, and we’ll make sure you’re connected with a member of our team right away.
Thank you again for your honest feedback.
Our call system is designed to help us respond promptly and ensure each inquiry is directed to the appropriate team member as efficiently as possible. That said, we recognize that not everyone prefers that type of introduction, and we’re sorry to hear it caused frustration.
We genuinely appreciate you giving us the opportunity to improve. If you’re open to it, we would welcome the chance to speak with you directly and provide the level of personal attention you deserve. Please feel free to reach out again, and we’ll make sure you’re connected with a member of our team right away.
Thank you again for your honest feedback.
Julie Boren is an exceptional attorney! She is extensively knowledgeable, extremely personable and professional, compassionate and committed to her clients! She goes above and beyond to insure she gets the best possible results for her clients!
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
Thank you for recognizing Julie’s hard work and compassion. Family law matters require both skill and empathy, and we’re so glad you felt supported and well-represented throughout your experience.
I’ve had a great experience working with Hector Cortes and Kimberly Hernandez. Hector has been a phenomenal attorney, and if he’s assigned to your case, you can rest assured you’re in good hands. He inspires genuine confidence through his years of experience and deep knowledge of family law, which is immediately apparent when speaking with him. His discipline, preparation, and professionalism both inside and outside the courtroom truly set him apart.
Kimberly Hernandez has also been outstanding. Her attention to detail is exceptional, she is consistently responsive, and she always makes you feel at ease throughout the process. Together, Hector and Kimberly operate as a seamless team clearly experienced, professional, and reliable.
As for the firm overall, I am satisfied with my experience, though there is one aspect of the intake process that I believe could be improved. Our initial consultation was conducted with Julie E. Boren, who was not the attorney ultimately assigned to our case. During that meeting, we were informed that Hector Cortes would be our attorney if we chose to move forward; however, we did not have the opportunity to speak with him prior to committing. Given the $10,000 retainer particularly after a $300 initial consultation and an additional fee to meet with Hector this felt like a significant commitment without direct interaction with assigned counsel. Scheduling a separate consultation afterward made the process feel unnecessarily segmented. I believe the intake process could be streamlined by routing prospective clients directly to the assigned attorney from the start.
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
2026.02.08
Dear Marc, thank you so much for the review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a phenomenal experience with Hector Cortes and Kimberly Hernandez. Our team prides itself on providing dedicated, high-level support for every client, and we are glad that Hector's legal expertise and Kimberly's professional assistance made such a positive impact on your case. We will be sure to share your kind words with both of them! At our firm, we emphasize the need to have rapid availability for the initial consultation. I'm sure that you were not charged for the second consultation with Hector that you requested, and I am sorry the 2-part process made you feel that we were less streamlined. Our focus was on providing you with a rapid response when Hector was tied up in a mediation with another client, but your concern is noted. We work as a team throughout the firm, meeting at least once a week with the staff as a whole and once a week with all the attorneys to ensure that all our clients get the benefit of a collaborative team. Feel free to reach out if you have any other concerns.
Worst law firm to trust, real negative attitude towards anything spoken out, Also asks for a ton of money up front just to spend it all in one single trip down to the court to speak with the judge. Couldn't email or call without being charged 100 bucks for 30 seconds of communication time. Went with another law firm and everything was handled in a very professional manner and without the high costs proposed by Laura D Heard and associates. STAY AWAY!
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
2026.02.07
Dear Frank,
We have thoroughly searched our records and cannot find any client nor case history matching your name or the details provided. We believe you may have us confused with another law firm.
We often get mistaken for 'Heard & Smith,' a separate firm in the area and sometimes people think I am another lawyer that looks similar. At South TX Family Law, we pride ourselves on transparent communication and have a very different billing structure than the one you described. We have a written fee agreement that is explained at the beginning and we send itemized statements showing exactly what the client was charged for.
If you believe this is an error and you are indeed a client of ours, please contact our office manager at (210) 775-0353 so we can look into this immediately. Also, I'd like to know which specific lawyer you say made a court appearance for you. Otherwise, if you have confused us with another firm, we kindly ask that you remove this review as it does not pertain to our firm."
We have thoroughly searched our records and cannot find any client nor case history matching your name or the details provided. We believe you may have us confused with another law firm.
We often get mistaken for 'Heard & Smith,' a separate firm in the area and sometimes people think I am another lawyer that looks similar. At South TX Family Law, we pride ourselves on transparent communication and have a very different billing structure than the one you described. We have a written fee agreement that is explained at the beginning and we send itemized statements showing exactly what the client was charged for.
If you believe this is an error and you are indeed a client of ours, please contact our office manager at (210) 775-0353 so we can look into this immediately. Also, I'd like to know which specific lawyer you say made a court appearance for you. Otherwise, if you have confused us with another firm, we kindly ask that you remove this review as it does not pertain to our firm."
Sylvia did a great job in handling my legal matters.
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re glad to hear Sylvia provided excellent support and handled your legal matters with care. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
I had a deeply concerning experience with this attorney during a critical stage of my case. I was pressured to review and sign a 55-page proposed decree that was submitted approximately 12 hours before a scheduled court hearing. Despite the length and importance of the document, my repeated requests for guidance, clarification and legal support during that time went unanswered.I was not informed that signing the decree at the hearing would make it final and prevent future edits. As a result, I was left under extreme time pressure. Cherrell communicated directly with opposing counsel on the day of the hearing, which was stressful, time-consuming, and not what I expected from my own legal representation. Although I shared proposed changes, they were not incorporated into the final decree, and I felt pressured to sign due to the court’s closing schedule. Our own decree, submitted to opposing counsel more than 2 months ago after spending thousands of dollars on Cherrell’s services and ensuring alignment with the MSA, was not even considered. I was billed for time throughout that day, even though I did not receive meaningful legal assistance during that period. After the decree was signed, the attorney recorded a video that, in my view, misrepresented her involvement in the process. When I later asked for a copy, it was deleted. My repeated requests for her to withdraw from my case were ignored, leaving me no choice but to personally go to the courthouse to formally terminate her representation. Additionally, she failed to return my client files despite being legally obligated to do so regardless of billing. I had to block her on my phone because she texted me and billed me for those messages. Based on my experience, I did not feel supported or adequately advised during one of the most important moments of my case, and I would encourage others to proceed with caution.
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
2026.02.08
We take all client feedback seriously, and we are genuinely sorry that this former client now feels dissatisfied with her experience. Our records and contemporary interactions indicated a different sentiment at the conclusion of the matter, and we are disappointed by this change in perspective.
Because we are bound by strict professional and ethical rules, we cannot respond point-by-point to specific allegations or disclose details of any client’s case—even when the public account is incomplete or inaccurate.
What we can say is that our firm is committed to clear communication, thorough preparation, and zealous advocacy. Our firm is committed to careful explanation of court orders before they are signed, We routinely guide clients through mediated settlements and final decrees, explain the legal effect of mediated settlement agreements and agreed court orders before they are signed, and communicate with opposing counsel as required to protect our clients’ interests. We also comply with our ethical obligations regarding client files and withdrawal from representation.
While professional ethics and client privacy prevent us from discussing the specific details of any legal matter in a public forum, we would like to address two points of concern mentioned in her review.
Regarding the client file, it is our policy to provide clients with their complete records upon request. In cases involving high-conflict or multi-year litigation, files can be exceptionally voluminous. We strive to provide these copies as quickly as possible, though compiling and auditing a multi-year file (with extensive discovery) for accuracy can sometimes require a brief administrative period to ensure nothing is missed. At no time do we ever refuse to turn over a client’s file, but we do require a reasonable period of time to copy the file and an appointment in advance.
Regarding the video testimonial, we only share testimonials that are provided voluntarily by clients. When a client requests that their video be removed from our platforms, we honor that request immediately. Deletion from the attorney’s social media of the client’s testimonial video praising the attorney was done to fully comply with the client’s request for its removal.
Family law matters—particularly high-conflict custody cases—are emotionally intense, and it is not uncommon for feelings about a case to change after a matter is concluded. While we respect this client’s right to share her perspective, we note that this is the third review she has posted in this forum about this case, with the last two being "anonymous". We stand by the professionalism and integrity of our attorney and staff.
We encourage anyone with concerns about their representation to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed promptly and constructively. Our firm remains proud of the care, diligence, and results we work hard to provide to our clients. Our firm is dedicated to providing ethical and compassionate representation.
We are sorry that you feel differently now that the case has concluded. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly to address any remaining administrative concerns. Please feel free to reach out to our office at your convenience.
Because we are bound by strict professional and ethical rules, we cannot respond point-by-point to specific allegations or disclose details of any client’s case—even when the public account is incomplete or inaccurate.
What we can say is that our firm is committed to clear communication, thorough preparation, and zealous advocacy. Our firm is committed to careful explanation of court orders before they are signed, We routinely guide clients through mediated settlements and final decrees, explain the legal effect of mediated settlement agreements and agreed court orders before they are signed, and communicate with opposing counsel as required to protect our clients’ interests. We also comply with our ethical obligations regarding client files and withdrawal from representation.
While professional ethics and client privacy prevent us from discussing the specific details of any legal matter in a public forum, we would like to address two points of concern mentioned in her review.
Regarding the client file, it is our policy to provide clients with their complete records upon request. In cases involving high-conflict or multi-year litigation, files can be exceptionally voluminous. We strive to provide these copies as quickly as possible, though compiling and auditing a multi-year file (with extensive discovery) for accuracy can sometimes require a brief administrative period to ensure nothing is missed. At no time do we ever refuse to turn over a client’s file, but we do require a reasonable period of time to copy the file and an appointment in advance.
Regarding the video testimonial, we only share testimonials that are provided voluntarily by clients. When a client requests that their video be removed from our platforms, we honor that request immediately. Deletion from the attorney’s social media of the client’s testimonial video praising the attorney was done to fully comply with the client’s request for its removal.
Family law matters—particularly high-conflict custody cases—are emotionally intense, and it is not uncommon for feelings about a case to change after a matter is concluded. While we respect this client’s right to share her perspective, we note that this is the third review she has posted in this forum about this case, with the last two being "anonymous". We stand by the professionalism and integrity of our attorney and staff.
We encourage anyone with concerns about their representation to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed promptly and constructively. Our firm remains proud of the care, diligence, and results we work hard to provide to our clients. Our firm is dedicated to providing ethical and compassionate representation.
We are sorry that you feel differently now that the case has concluded. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly to address any remaining administrative concerns. Please feel free to reach out to our office at your convenience.
I highly recommend Sylvia for any of your needs fast to respond always to answer and questions and help with any concerns ❤️
Reply from LD Heard (South TX Family Law)
Thank you so much for your kind recommendation! We’re happy to hear that Sylvia was responsive, attentive, and able to address your questions and concerns promptly. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience ❤️