{"id":11812,"date":"2026-10-23T07:57:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T07:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-cost-breakdown-addiction\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T14:40:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T14:40:50","slug":"marchman-act-cost-breakdown-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-cost-breakdown-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Cost Breakdown: Florida Fees & Expenses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorney | South Florida & Miami-Dade<\/p>

Know What a Marchman Act Case May Cost Before You Decide<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. Learn which costs to expect, then talk with us about your situation.<\/p>

Schedule Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Schedule Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 23, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Marchman Act Cost Breakdown for Florida Families<\/h2>\n

The main costs of a Marchman Act petition are attorney fees, a pre-filing evaluation, service fees, and treatment. Florida law says the clerk may not charge a fee to file the petition itself. Treatment is usually the largest cost, and insurance and ability to pay change the final bill.<\/p>\n

This page explains each cost, what moves it up or down, and who usually pays. Robinson & Casey focuses its practice on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters, serving families across South Florida and statewide.<\/p>\n\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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What Is the Marchman Act, and Who Pays for It?<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s law for court-ordered substance abuse treatment. If the person is an adult, a spouse, legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult with direct personal knowledge of the person’s substance abuse impairment and prior course of assessment and treatment can file a petition; if the person is a minor, a parent, legal guardian, or service provider can file (\u00a7 397.68112<\/a>). The petitioner usually pays the early costs, such as legal help, evaluation, and service. Treatment costs may then fall on the person in care, their insurance, or another payer. Knowing each cost first helps you plan.<\/p>\n

Attorney Fees: What Legal Help Typically Costs<\/h2>\n

The range depends on case complexity and county. Costs rise with a contested hearing, more court appearances, an amended petition, or complicated medical facts. Straightforward cases with clear facts usually cost less.<\/p>\n

The person named in the petition has the right to a lawyer at every stage, but may waive that right if present and the court finds the waiver is made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily (\u00a7 397.681<\/a>). If that person wants a lawyer and cannot afford one, they have the right to court-appointed counsel. Fees are discussed with you directly, based on your county and your facts.<\/p>\n

Court Filing and Service Costs<\/h2>\n

Filing the petition carries no clerk’s fee. Under \u00a7 397.681<\/a>, the clerk “may not charge a fee for the filing of a petition.” Service works differently. Unless a circuit’s chief judge authorizes disinterested private process servers, the clerk electronically submits the summons to a law enforcement agency within 6 hours after it is issued to serve the person (\u00a7 397.68151<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The court may prohibit, or a law enforcement agency may waive, any service of process fees if the petitioner is found indigent (\u00a7 397.68112<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Evaluation and Treatment Costs, and Who Pays<\/h2>\n

A professional assessment is usually the first treatment-related cost. A petition may include a report from a qualified professional who examined the person within 30 days before filing. If there was no assessment, the petition must say so (\u00a7 397.68141<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Inpatient care is the biggest variable. Longer orders mean longer bills.<\/p>\n

Providers must disclose the full charge and the individual’s fee before admission (\u00a7 397.431<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs<\/h2>\n

Insurance often covers part of treatment but usually does not cover legal or court costs. Private insurance may cover 50 to 100 percent of facility costs, after deductibles and copays. Public plans like Medicare and Medicaid may cover substance abuse treatment, depending on the plan.<\/p>\n

Some insurers require approval before treatment starts, and that can delay admission. Before you file, ask the insurer what it covers and what approval it needs.<\/p>\n\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A Sample Cost Scenario<\/h2>\n

This example is illustrative, not a quote. It assumes a 30-day inpatient stay at $500 per day.<\/p>\n