{"id":15160,"date":"2026-10-29T06:08:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T06:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/involuntary-commitment-addiction-marchman-act-lawyer-for-siblings\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T06:08:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T06:08:09","slug":"involuntary-commitment-addiction-marchman-act-lawyer-for-siblings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/involuntary-commitment-addiction-marchman-act-lawyer-for-siblings\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Lawyer for Sibling in Florida | Robinson Casey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Petitions | Miami-Dade & South Florida<\/p>

Helping Siblings Petition the Court for a Loved One in Crisis<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. Speak with Richard J. Casey III, Esq. about your sibling's 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 29, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Yes. Under current Florida law, a sibling or adult child can ask a court for assessment and treatment of an adult’s substance abuse impairment, if the legal criteria are met. This page explains who may file, what the court looks for, and what happens after a petition is filed. Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families in Miami-Dade, South Florida, and across the state.<\/p>\n

When a Brother, Sister, or Adult Child Keeps Ending Up in Crisis<\/h2>\n

Many families see the same cycle. The emergency room treats your loved one, a hospital discharges them within days, and they return to the street with no real plan for care.<\/p>\n

Then the calls come again. They have stopped taking medication. They refuse every offer of help. Money is disappearing, or someone is taking advantage of them.<\/p>\n

You likely fear the worst. You may worry about irreversible harm, financial exploitation, dangerous decisions, or another psychiatric hospitalization. Many siblings and adult children also believe they have no legal standing to act. You are not looking for control. You want your loved one safe and supported. The real question is whether Florida law gives you a lawful route to court-ordered help. For many families, it does.<\/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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What the Marchman Act Is and Who It Covers<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s court process for involuntary assessment and treatment of substance abuse impairment. It is found in Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes, and it begins with a petition filed in court.<\/p>\n

A court may order involuntary admission only if the criteria are met. \u00a7 397.675<\/a> requires a good faith reason to believe the person is substance abuse impaired, or has a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder. The person must have lost the power of self-control over substance use. The statute also requires one of two things. Either the person is in need of substance abuse services and, because of impairment, cannot appreciate that need or make a rational decision about services, or without care the person is likely to neglect himself or herself in a way that poses a real and present threat of substantial harm, and it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing, able, and responsible family members or friends or the provision of other services. Physical harm to self or others also qualifies.<\/p>\n

Who may file? For an adult, \u00a7 397.68112<\/a> lists the spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, and an adult with direct personal knowledge of the impairment and prior treatment.<\/p>\n

What Robinson Casey Handles for Families<\/h2>\n

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. The practice centers on these two areas.<\/p>\n