Business Details
24 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Experienced Central Florida Trial Attorneys
At Vanderlaan & Vanderlaan, P.A., we have dedicated ourselves to providing experienced legal representation to clients across Florida since 2002. Our attorneys, Kristopher and Melody Vanderlaan, bring extensive trial experience from their time as prosecutors, enabling us to navigate both civil and criminal cases with strategic insight. We specialize in family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, construction disputes, personal injury, and probate matters, serving clients in over 20 counties across Central Florida. Our approach emphasizes collaboration between both attorneys on every case, ensuring personalized strategies and accountability that larger firms often lack. We prioritize direct client relationships, offering after-hours and weekend availability to address urgent legal needs when they arise.With offices in Ocala, Lake County, and Sumter County, we combine local knowledge with a commitment to resolving cases efficiently through mediation or aggressive trial representation. Our firms reputation for handling complex litigation has led to referrals from other legal professionals seeking experienced trial counsel. We believe in building long-term relationships by delivering results-driven legal solutions tailored to each clients unique circumstances. This philosophy has allowed us to grow a successful practice while maintaining the personal touch of a small firm. Our dedication to the Central Florida community extends beyond our casework, reflecting our deep roots and commitment to the region we call home.
Services
Family Law
Criminal Defense
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
Probate Law
Construction Disputes
DUI/DWI Defense
Domestic Violence
Business Litigation
Child Custody
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of trial experience in civil and criminal cases
- Our attorneys collaborate on every case for comprehensive strategy
- We provide after-hours and weekend client availability
- Direct access to experienced partners without junior associate handoffs
- Proven track record handling complex litigation referred by other firms
Services
Family Law
Our family law practice handles divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, alimony determinations, and paternity cases. We provide strategic representation for complex marital asset divisions and post-judgment modifications. Clients benefit from our courtroom experience and negotiation skills in resolving sensitive domestic matters.
Criminal Defense
We defend clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges including DUI/DWI, domestic violence, and drug offenses. Our approach combines trial-ready preparation with strategic plea negotiation when appropriate. With former prosecutorial experience, we understand case weaknesses and develop effective defense strategies tailored to each client's circumstances.
Civil Litigation
Our civil litigation services address business disputes, contract conflicts, landlord-tenant issues, and construction litigation. We represent clients in mediation, arbitration, and trial proceedings across Central Florida. The firm's trial background strengthens our ability to secure favorable settlements or verdicts in complex commercial disputes.
Personal Injury
We advocate for clients injured in accidents seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our representation includes car crashes, slip-and-fall incidents, and workplace injuries. We handle insurance negotiations and trial litigation to maximize client recovery.
Probate Law
Our probate services assist executors and beneficiaries with estate administration, will contests, and trust disputes. We guide clients through Florida's probate process while minimizing family conflicts. The firm also handles guardianship proceedings and advance directive documentation.
People
Kristopher A. Vanderlaan
Partner
Former prosecutor with 20+ years trial experience handling complex litigation. Specializes in criminal defense, family law, and civil disputes across Central Florida courts.
Melody Weeks Vanderlaan
Partner
Experienced trial attorney focusing on family law, domestic violence cases, and personal injury claims. Combines legal expertise with community understanding to represent Central Florida residents.
Charite Stepp
Paralegal
Supports attorneys with case preparation, client communication, and legal documentation management in family law and criminal defense matters.
Mark Kelly
Paralegal
Assists with civil litigation and probate case management, ensuring efficient document handling and client coordination.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus on family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, probate, and construction disputes across Central Florida.
Do you handle cases outside Ocala?
Yes, we serve clients in over 20 Florida counties including Marion, Lake, Sumter, and Hillsborough counties.
Are attorneys available after business hours?
We offer after-hours and weekend consultations to accommodate urgent legal needs and client schedules.
How are cases managed?
Both partners collaborate on every case, providing dual expertise while maintaining direct client communication throughout the process.
Can I schedule a consultation?
Contact us via phone or our website form to arrange an initial consultation with one of our attorneys.
What payment options exist?
We accept major credit cards and offer flexible payment arrangements for qualified clients.
