{"id":14917,"date":"2026-10-28T03:53:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T03:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-attorney-alcohol-use-disorder-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T07:30:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T07:30:20","slug":"marchman-act-attorney-alcohol-use-disorder-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-attorney-alcohol-use-disorder-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Alcohol Use Disorder Florida: A Family Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorney | South Florida & Statewide<\/p>

Helping Families Act When a Loved One Needs Help With Alcohol Use<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families in Miami-Dade, South Florida and across Florida. Richard J. Casey III, Esq. is the responsible attorney for this page.<\/p>

Schedule Your Free Consultation or Call (561) 849-4149<\/a><\/div>
Schedule Your Free Consultation or Call (561) 849-4149<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why Families Work With Robinson Casey<\/h2>\n

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A Focused Practice<\/h3>

Our practice focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters, so your case is handled by attorneys who work in these areas every day.<\/p><\/div>

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Confidential Conversations<\/h3>

Your first consultation is free, confidential and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p><\/div>

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South Florida and Statewide<\/h3>

We represent families in Miami-Dade and throughout South Florida, and we assist clients across the state.<\/p><\/div>

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Support for the Whole Family<\/h3>

Our team guides you through each step, from the first call to the court process, so you know what to expect.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 27, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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When Your Adult Child’s Drinking Has Become an Emergency<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s court process for getting an adult into assessment and treatment when substance impairment leaves them unable to get help on their own. This page explains how Marchman Act alcohol use disorder cases work in Florida, in plain terms. For the broader overview, see our Marchman Act attorney page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You may have spent years paying for treatment, trying new programs, and setting firm limits. Then a hospital visit, an arrest, or a night when no one knew where your child was changed everything. Many parents in this position fear the same things: alcohol poisoning, withdrawal, a fatal accident, jail, living on the street, and losing hope that anything will work.<\/p>\n

Those fears are real, and you are not overreacting by taking them seriously. This page gives you the legal facts so you can think clearly about your options.<\/p>\n\n

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If your adult child's drinking has pushed your family into crisis, you don't have to carry it alone. Reach out to Robinson Casey to talk through what's happening. 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 Marchman Act Is and How It Applies to Alcohol<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is a Florida law that allows a court to order assessment, stabilization, and treatment for a person with substance use impairment. Under \u00a7 397.675<\/a>, a person may meet the criteria for involuntary admission when there is good faith reason to believe they are substance abuse impaired. The impairment must have caused them to lose the power of self-control with respect to substance use.<\/p>\n

Voluntary treatment depends on the person agreeing to go. A Marchman Act petition is for cases where your child cannot make that choice: impaired judgment keeps them from appreciating the need for services; or without care they are likely to neglect themselves or refuse care in a way that poses a real and present threat of substantial harm, and it is not apparent that family, friends or other services can prevent that harm; or there is a substantial likelihood they have inflicted, threatened or attempted, or unless admitted are likely to inflict, physical harm on themselves or another. A mere refusal to accept services is not, by itself, evidence of lack of judgment. That is why many families reach this step after voluntary options have stalled.<\/p>\n

Who Can File a Petition and What It Must Show<\/h2>\n

For an adult, a petition may be filed by a spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult with direct personal knowledge of the impairment and the prior course of assessment and treatment.<\/p>\n

The petition must name your child as the respondent and name you as the petitioner. It must state your relationship and the factual reasons for the filing.<\/p>\n