Michigan Family Law and Collections Attorney
Pater Law is a powerful divorce and collections law firm. Our approach is simple: do the best work, get the best results. Our firm is located in Holland, MI, inside of the Skips Pharmacy building.
The attorneys and staff come from unique backgrounds and boast a variety of skills to make you feel comfortable that your case is in the right hands. With us standing by your side even the most difficult cases become manageable. When you need an edge, when OK isn’t good enough, call Pater Law at (616) 396-8883.
What We Do
Our firm offers full service litigation in both divorce and collections matters to clients all over West Michigan. Ray is known as an aggressive litigator in Ottawa County, uniquely qualified to represent clients for all matters. For over twenty-five years, our clients bring us a diverse set of cases including divorce, child custody, property division, and collections. There is no question that your case will receive the upmost attention and care.
Divorce Attorney
Divorces are messy. Opposing counsel can be unreasonably aggressive. Our success comes from fighting with brains and brawn, not bluster. When needed, we hire the trusted experts to sort through property and parenting disputes. Using strategic planning, we get the right evidence in front of the judge at the right time.
Team
Raymond Pater was born in the Netherlands and is one of eight children. After his family immigrated to the United States, and although of modest means, six of his siblings attended college and two went on to obtain PhDs, later becoming college professors. An older sister never attended high school, but was admitted to college because of a nearly illegible transcript and ironically went on to become a high school teacher. While attending grade school and high school, Ray worked in the family business selling eggs and chickens on the streets of South side Chicago. After graduating from high school he worked in a steel mill in East Chicago, Indiana. That experience convinced him to change course and he attended Indiana University, Calvin College and Grand Valley. After graduation he worked in sales, then taught school, and then attended law school.
Ray graduated Magna Cum Laude from law school in 1983, one day after his youngest daughter was born. He started in general practice as a solo practitioner, then went to work for a leading collection law firm. In 1990 he began to be affiliated with the firm of with Coupe & VanAllsburg; that became Coupe, VanAllsburg & Pater; and finally Coupe Pater, PC. He has been in solo practice since 2006.
Ray has been a Big Brother, deacon in one church, elder in another, school board president, and has served as a mentor at Guiding Light Mission in Grand Rapids.
Ray and his wife of 40 years have three children: a businessman in Grand Rapids, an attorney in Manhattan, and a daughter in Denver who teaches part-time, mentors, and nannies (who claims to be his favorite child and who made the video, “Daughter’s Tribute to Her Dad”).
His practice includes family law, collections, contracts, and contract litigation. He has practiced in courts throughout much of the State of Michigan, and now works primarily in Ottawa and Allegan Counties. Assisting in the office is Zechariah Peter Marco.
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, MI, Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Indiana University, Gary, IN
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Valley State, Allendale, MI
Zechariah P. Marco (“Zack”) is an Associate Attorney, who joined Pater Law, PC in the Summer of 2016. Zack earned his Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he graduated Cum Laude. Prior to law school, Zack attended Western Michigan University where he studied Criminal Justice and Political Science.
While attending Cooley, Zack volunteered, and was later employed as a Program Assistant at the Legal Assistance Center, where he regularly assisted pro se litigants in family law. It was here that Zack solidified his desire to serve, and his passion for helping people.
Although he was born in Phoenix, Arizona, Zack calls West Michigan his home as he has lived here for over ten years. Zack is dedicated to serving the legal needs of the people of West Michigan. In his spare time, Zack likes to spend time with family and friends. Zack is married and has one baby girl and a dog.
Zack is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. He is also a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association.
