Ryan G. Hardy, PA-Criminal & Family Law Attorney

10/08/2026

Jim Cantore is officially closing our office on Friday in preparation of the upcoming hurricane. Please stay safe!

10/08/2026

ATTENTION!

EARLY CLOSURE DATES:
The Okaloosa County Clerk's office will be closing at 2:00pm on Thursday, October 8th and closed all day Friday, October 9th, due to the impending inclement weather. At this time, we plan to re-open regular business hours on Monday, October 12th, 2026.

Updates will be posted as they become available.

Have business at the Clerk's office? Check our website to see if it can be taken care of online!

www.okaloosaclerk.com

Stay safe, Okaloosa!

06/30/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July from Ryan G. Hardy, P.A.! 🇺🇸

Our office will be closed Friday, July 3rd is observance of 4th of July! As you celebrate with family and friends, we want to remind everyone to make safety a priority this Independence Day.

The National Safety Council has consistently identified the Fourth of July as one of the most dangerous holiday travel periods of the year. Heavy traffic, nighttime travel, and impaired driving all contribute to an increase in serious crashes.

Stay safe this holiday by remembering to:

✅ Never drink and drive. Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service.
✅ Always wear your seatbelt—and make sure every passenger is buckled up.
✅ Put the phone away and avoid distracted driving.
✅ Keep children properly secured in the appropriate car seat or booster.
✅ Be patient and avoid aggressive driving.
✅ Never ride with an impaired driver.
✅ Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, especially during the Florida summer heat.

If you’re considering drinking…

The safest choice is simple: Don’t drive. Plan ahead before you head out, whether that means choosing a designated driver, calling a rideshare, or arranging another safe way home.

A DUI in Florida can have serious consequences, including:

• Significant fines and court costs
• Possible jail time
• Driver’s license suspension
• Increased insurance premiums
• A permanent criminal record
• The possibility of causing a life-changing or fatal crash

Statistics also show that the most dangerous hours on the road during the Fourth of July weekend are between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM, when the vast majority of fatal crashes occur.

🇺🇸 We hope you enjoy the fireworks, time with loved ones, and everything that makes Independence Day special. If you or someone you love finds themselves facing a criminal charge or needs legal guidance after an unexpected situation, Ryan G. Hardy, P.A. is here to help.

📞 850-398-8790

Have a safe, smart, and Happy Fourth of July! 🎆🇺🇸

06/25/2026

06/19/2026

Parents of College-Bound Seniors: Don’t Overlook This Important Step

If you have a senior heading off to college, now is the time to get a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Surrogate/Medical Power of Attorney in place. Once your child turns 18, they are legally considered an adult. That means if they are hospitalized, injured, sick, studying abroad, or simply unable to handle matters on their own, you may not have the legal authority to help.

These documents can allow you to:
✔️ Access medical information and communicate with doctors
✔️ Make medical decisions in an emergency if your child is unable to do so
✔️ Assist with banking and financial matters
✔️ Pay bills and manage financial obligations when needed
✔️ Handle insurance issues and other important paperwork
✔️ Help with housing, vehicle, and other day-to-day matters that may arise while they’re away at school

The last thing you want is to be dealing with an emergency and discover that you cannot access information or assist your child because they are legally an adult. A little planning now can provide peace of mind for both parents and students. 📞 Call our office today to discuss preparing these important documents before your student leaves for college. Hope for the best, but prepare for the unexpected.

06/15/2026

We are excited to welcome Adalyn to Ryan G. Hardy, P.A. as she begins her Senior Capstone Project through Collegiate High School. The Capstone Program provides students with the opportunity to explore a career field they are interested in through hands-on learning, research, and mentorship from professionals in the community. Throughout the project, students gain valuable real-world experience while developing skills in communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and leadership.

Adalyn hit the ground running on her very first day. Rather than spending the day behind a desk, she joined Ryan in court and got an up-close look at the legal system in action. From observing courtroom procedures to seeing how attorneys advocate for their clients, she immediately experienced a side of the legal profession that most students don’t get to see firsthand. We are honored to be a part of Adalyn’s Capstone experience and look forward to helping her explore the legal field throughout the year. Thank you to Collegiate High School for creating opportunities that allow students to connect their education with real-world experiences and potential career paths.

Welcome to the team, Adalyn—we’re excited to have you with us!

05/04/2026

Congrats to all our local graduates!

The Okaloosa County School District is proud to announce the upcoming graduation ceremonies honoring the Class of 2026. This special time marks a significant milestone as our seniors reflect on their accomplishments and prepare to embark on new journeys beyond high school. We look forward to celebrating alongside families, friends, and our community as we recognize the dedication, perseverance, and achievements of our graduates. For those unable to attend in person, each ceremony will be livestreamed, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to share in this memorable occasion. Livestream links are available below.

Baker School – Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 pm - Doug Griffith Stadium
https://youtube.com/live/DwRc6XDSMP0

Choctawhatchee High School – Thursday, May 21, at 7:30 pm - Joe Etheredge Stadium
https://youtube.com/live/gjf6JEb5wWg

Crestview High School – Friday, May 22, at 7:00 pm - Jack Foster Stadium
https://youtube.com/live/RLW8ud3sAfA

Fort Walton Beach High School – Friday, May 22, at 7:30 pm - Steve Riggs Stadium
https://youtube.com/live/diqs8ocQbi8

Laurel Hill School – Tuesday, May 19, at 6:00 pm - Laurel Hill Gym
https://youtube.com/live/nScOkl9lPuE

Niceville High School – Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 pm - Niceville Eagle Stadium
https://youtube.com/live/Cxtx-hkOI6o

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026 and wish them continued success in all their future endeavors!

04/30/2026

Congrats ladies! Panther Proud!

County Champs! 🏆🥎

Big congrats to the Davidson Middle School softball team on winning the county championship — the first softball championship for Davidson! The hard work paid off, and it showed. So proud of this team and everything they accomplished this season.

Way to go, girls! 🩵💛🐾

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from our family to yours! He is Risen! ✝️