Talk Through Your Marchman Act Options by Phone

A Marchman Act attorney phone consultation is a confidential first call about one family’s situation. The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue. Robinson Casey focuses exclusively on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families in Miami-Dade, South Florida, and across Florida.

A Marchman Act Phone Consultation Is a First Conversation, Not a Filing

A Marchman Act phone consultation is a first conversation about a family member’s substance use. It is not a court filing, and it does not commit you to anything.

It gives families a way to seek assessment and treatment for a person with a substance use problem. Under Fla. Stat. § 397.675, the court looks for a good faith reason to believe the person is substance abuse impaired, or has a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder. It also looks for a loss of self-control and a second showing about judgment or about real harm.

Most callers are parents, adult children, spouses, and close relatives. Under Fla. Stat. § 397.68112, for an adult respondent, a petition may be filed by the respondent’s spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult who has direct personal knowledge of the respondent’s substance abuse impairment and his or her prior course of assessment and treatment. If you are still learning the process, the involuntary commitment for addiction guide explains it in more depth.

What the Phone Consultation Covers

The call covers your loved one’s situation, whether a Marchman Act petition may fit, and how that route differs from guardianship.

• Substance use history. Recent use, past treatment, and recent incidents. You decide how much detail to share.
• Refusal and safety. Whether your loved one has refused treatment or detox, and any immediate danger to self or others.
• Petition basics. A petition must name the person, the petitioner, your relationship, the person’s attorney if known, and the facts showing the need for services (Fla. Stat. § 397.68141). It may include an assessment done within 30 days before filing. If there was none, the petition must say so.
• Guardianship. The firm also handles emergency temporary, plenary, limited, and mental health guardianship. Guardianship is a separate court route, so the facts decide which path fits.

A common mistake is waiting for a perfect file before calling. Bring what you know, including dates and specific incidents.

How the Phone Consultation Works, Step by Step

You call, share the basic facts, hear the options, and then decide what comes next.

1. Call or request a consultation. Dial (561) 849-4149 or use the contact page. Say that the call concerns a Marchman Act matter.
2. Share the basics. Give your loved one’s name, the county where they are now, the substances involved, and what happened recently.
3. Review the facts. The attorney explains which options may apply under Florida law and what information is still needed.
4. Decide. You can continue with the firm or end the call with no obligation.

Tell the team at the start if the situation is urgent. Timing matters once a case is filed. The court must schedule a hearing within 10 court working days unless a continuance is granted (Fla. Stat. § 397.68151). In an emergency, a judge may enter an ex parte order for the respondent’s involuntary assessment and stabilization based on the petition alone (Fla. Stat. § 397.6818).

Families in South Florida and Statewide Start With the Same Phone Call

Families in Miami-Dade, South Florida, and elsewhere in Florida can start with the same phone call. Location affects which county handles the case, so share where your loved one is now.

A petition goes to the clerk of the court in the county where the person is located (Fla. Stat. § 397.681). Getting the county right still matters, because it affects where the case proceeds.

Families in Miami-Dade can also read the Miami-Dade Marchman Act attorney page.

Have these details ready for the call:

• Your loved one’s full name and date of birth, if known
• The county where they are located now
• Substances involved and recent treatment history
• Any court or law enforcement contact

Why Families Call Robinson Casey

Robinson Casey focuses exclusively on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. That focus shapes every call.

• Named matter types. Marchman Act attorney services, guardianship attorney services, emergency temporary guardianship, plenary guardianship, limited guardianship, mental health guardianship, and involuntary commitment for addiction.
• Support staff. Our support staff can help you schedule a call, so the first conversation can move quickly.
• Confidential records. Petitions and related court records are confidential and exempt from public records disclosure, with listed exceptions (Fla. Stat. § 397.6760).
• Responsible lawyer. Richard J. Casey III, Esq. is the responsible lawyer for this page.

Common Questions Before You Call

Here are short answers to common questions.

Talk to a Florida Attorney by Phone Today

If you are weighing a Marchman Act petition for someone you love, a phone call is the quickest way to see whether it fits. If your loved one is using and refusing help, or withdrawal and safety worry you, the decision is in front of you now. Reach out to Robinson Casey through our contact page, or call (561) 849-4149. We will listen, explain your options under Florida law, and let you decide what happens next.