{"id":13534,"date":"2026-10-27T01:56:46","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T01:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/talk-to-addicted-adult-before-court-petition-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T03:46:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T03:46:03","slug":"talk-to-addicted-adult-before-court-petition-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/talk-to-addicted-adult-before-court-petition-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Talking to an Addicted Adult Before a Florida Court Petition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act & Guardianship | South Florida<\/p>

You Don't Have to Face the Conversation Alone<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families in Miami-Dade and across South Florida. Richard J. Casey III, Esq. and our team can help you understand your options before you talk with your loved one. Free first consultation: confidential and without 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 26, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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The first step is usually a calm, specific talk with the adult you’re worried about. A court petition is a separate decision, and it can wait.<\/p>\n

If you’re searching for how to talk to an addicted adult before filing a court petition in Florida, you may be in a hard spot. You might be watching someone you love drink or use drugs. You might feel guilty, scared, or angry. You might also wonder whether Florida’s Marchman Act is the next step. This page covers the conversation that comes first, and how to tell when a talk alone may not be enough. It is part of our involuntary commitment for addiction guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where You Are Right Now: Worried, Unsure, and Looking for a Way to Start<\/h2>\n

Start with a private, honest talk about one concern. Keep the court question separate until you know more.<\/p>\n

Many families reach this point feeling responsible for a situation they didn’t choose. You may have tried to talk before and watched it end in an argument. You may not know whether a court petition is even an option. Those feelings are common. They don’t mean you’re doing it wrong.<\/p>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s law for court-ordered assessment and treatment of substance use. Miami-Dade families can read the Miami-Dade Clerk’s mental health court page<\/a>. It directs people seeking involuntary alcohol or drug treatment to the Clerk’s Office Probate Court for adults.<\/p>\n\n

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If you're weighing a court petition for an adult you love, our team at Robinson Casey can talk through what that path involves 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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Decide What the Conversation Is For<\/h2>\n

Decide on one goal before you speak. A family talk and a court petition are different steps.<\/p>\n

Most talks try to do too much at once. Pick one clear aim. Good options include:<\/p>\n