{"id":11832,"date":"2026-10-23T09:58:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T09:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-petition-adult-child-refuses-treatment\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T14:40:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T14:40:48","slug":"marchman-act-petition-adult-child-refuses-treatment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-petition-adult-child-refuses-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney for an Adult Child in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act & Guardianship | South Florida and Statewide<\/p>

Helping Your Adult Child Get the Care They Need Under the Marchman Act<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. Richard J. Casey III, Esq. is responsible for this page. Start with a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

Schedule a Free Consultation or Call (561) 849-4149<\/a><\/div>
Schedule a Free Consultation or Call (561) 849-4149<\/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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A Marchman Act petition is a court filing that asks a Florida judge to order assessment and, if the legal standards are met, treatment for an adult with a substance use problem who will not seek help on their own. A parent can file one. This page explains who may file, what the petition must say, how the process moves, and what happens at the hearing.<\/p>\n

What a Marchman Act Petition Is and Who It Is For<\/h2>\n

A Marchman Act petition asks the court to address an adult’s substance abuse impairment when the adult refuses voluntary care. The law is part of Florida Statutes Chapter 397.<\/p>\n

For an adult, Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68112<\/a> says who may file. The list includes the adult’s spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, and an adult with direct personal knowledge of the impairment and the adult’s prior assessment and treatment. A parent is a relative, so a parent may file.<\/p>\n

The typical reader has already tried. You may have had hard talks, arranged treatment, or asked your child to get help, and heard a refusal each time. The petition is the next legal step when those efforts have not worked.<\/p>\n

A Marchman Act petition is different from a guardianship case. Guardianship is a separate court process that the firm also handles. A Marchman Act petition focuses on substance use treatment.<\/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 the Court Looks For and What Your Petition Should Document<\/h2>\n

A petition must name the adult, name the petitioner, and explain how they are related. It must also name the adult’s attorney if known. Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68141<\/a>, the factual allegations must give the reason you believe your child is impaired.<\/p>\n

The admission criteria appear in \u00a7 397.675<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Good petitions are specific. Gather these items before your consultation:<\/p>\n