{"id":15088,"date":"2026-10-29T02:32:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T02:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-attorney-psychiatric-crisis-substance-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T06:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T06:05:11","slug":"marchman-act-attorney-psychiatric-crisis-substance-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-attorney-psychiatric-crisis-substance-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act for Mental Illness and Drug Use in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorneys | Miami-Dade & South Florida<\/p>

Marchman Act Help for Families Facing Mental Illness and Drug Use<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. Call (561) 849-4149 to talk through your situation.<\/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 28, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Your loved one keeps coming home from the hospital, refuses care, and puts themselves or others at risk. You want a lawful way to step in. In Florida, the Marchman Act can bring an adult into court-ordered assessment and treatment when substance use, alone or with a mental illness, leaves them unable to protect themselves. This page explains who can file, what the law requires, and what to expect.<\/p>\n

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

The Marchman Act is Florida’s court process for adults severely impaired by substance use.<\/p>\n

It also reaches adults with a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder. Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675<\/a>, the court asks whether the person has lost self-control over substance use.<\/p>\n

Family members can start the process. Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68112<\/a>, a petition for an adult may be filed by a spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult with direct personal knowledge of the impairment. A parent, sibling or adult child can file.<\/p>\n

Robinson & Casey limits its practice to Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. The firm serves families in Miami-Dade, South Florida and statewide. Richard J. Casey III, Esq. is the responsible lawyer for this page.<\/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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Legal Grounds: Substance Use and Psychiatric Crisis<\/h2>\n

A judge can order involuntary treatment only when the statutory criteria are proved. For a deeper look, read the Marchman Act grounds guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The core grounds are:<\/p>\n