{"id":12529,"date":"2026-10-26T05:02:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T05:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-minor-teenager-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T05:29:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T05:29:00","slug":"marchman-act-minor-teenager-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-minor-teenager-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act for Minor Teenager Florida: Petition Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Petitions | South Florida & Statewide<\/p>

Helping Your Family Navigate a Marchman Act Petition for a Teenager<\/h1>

Robinson Casey limits its practice to Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. Learn how the process works for a minor teen, and speak with a lawyer who can explain your options.<\/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 26, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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A Marchman Act petition for a minor teenager in Florida is a court filing. It asks a judge to order involuntary assessment and, if the legal criteria are met, treatment for a young person’s substance use. A parent, legal guardian, or service provider can file it. If you’re looking into a Marchman Act for minor teenager Florida case, you may be worried and short on time. This guide explains who can file, what the court reviews, and what to expect.<\/p>\n

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

A Marchman Act petition is a request to a Florida court for involuntary help with substance use. For a minor, the statute names who may file it.<\/p>\n

For a minor, Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68112<\/a> lets a parent, legal guardian, or service provider file the petition.<\/p>\n

That list is short. The adult rule names other relatives, such as grandparents or aunts, but the minor rule does not. If you’re a relative, your role may be more limited, so think about that early.<\/p>\n

Most families who ask about this are parents, guardians, and relatives watching a teen’s drinking, pill use, or other drug use get worse. Many are still gathering facts. Many haven’t picked a treatment provider yet. That’s normal. A petition is a court filing, so questions often come first.<\/p>\n

For the broader framework, read our involuntary commitment for addiction<\/a> overview.<\/p>\n\n

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If your teen's substance use has your family facing a hard decision, you don't have to work through the Marchman Act alone. We're here to talk through your teen's situation with you. 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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Criteria a Court Looks at for a Minor<\/h2>\n

A court looks at whether there is good faith reason to believe the teen has a substance problem and has lost self-control over that use. The rule comes from Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The teen must be believed in good faith to be substance abuse impaired, or to have a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder, and because of that impairment or disorder have lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use. The court then looks at one of these paths:<\/p>\n