{"id":12276,"date":"2026-10-25T04:13:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T04:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/emergency-temporary-guardianship-florida\/what-to-do-when-parent-cannot-make-decisions-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T14:35:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T14:35:42","slug":"what-to-do-when-parent-cannot-make-decisions-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/emergency-temporary-guardianship-florida\/what-to-do-when-parent-cannot-make-decisions-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do When a Parent Can’t Make Decisions in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act & Guardianship | Miami-Dade and South Florida<\/p>

When a Parent Can't Make Decisions, Here's What to Do Next<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

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

By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 25, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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If a parent can’t handle bills, medicine, or personal safety, contact Robinson Casey to explain emergency options now. You don’t have to wait for a full guardianship case. This page explains what to do when a parent can’t make decisions in Florida.<\/p>\n

This page is general information, not legal advice for any one family. It is written by Richard J. Casey III, Esq. Robinson Casey focuses its practice on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n

When a Parent Cannot Manage Bills, Medication, or Safety: Start With a Lawyer Now<\/h2>\n

Contact Robinson Casey as soon as you see real danger. Florida has an emergency path for cases where waiting could cause serious harm.<\/p>\n

Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 744.3031<\/a>, a court may appoint an emergency temporary guardian. The court can do that only after a petition to determine incapacity has been filed.<\/p>\n

The judge must also find that there appears to be imminent danger. The danger must be that the person’s physical or mental health or safety will be seriously impaired, or that the person’s property is in danger of being wasted, misappropriated, or lost, unless immediate action is taken.<\/p>\n

That test is narrow. It asks about immediate danger, not general worry about an aging parent. Knowing this helps you decide what to bring to a lawyer first.<\/p>\n\n

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If your parent's medicine, bills, or safety are slipping right now, you don't have to work out the emergency options alone; call (561) 849-4149 or request a consultation. 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

Signs a Parent Can No Longer Make Safe Decisions<\/h2>\n

A parent may need help when daily tasks start failing in ways that cause real harm. Look for patterns over time, not one bad day.<\/p>\n

Warning signs usually fall into three areas:<\/p>\n