{"id":18075,"date":"2026-11-05T11:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T11:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-attorney-spouse-drinks-at-home-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T19:11:54","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T19:11:54","slug":"marchman-act-attorney-spouse-drinks-at-home-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-attorney-spouse-drinks-at-home-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney for Spouses in Miami-Dade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorney | Miami-Dade<\/p>

Help for Miami-Dade Spouses Facing a Loved One's Substance Use Crisis<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families in Miami-Dade, across South Florida, and statewide. Start with a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

Schedule Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Schedule Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Your First Consultation<\/h2>\n

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Free<\/h3>

Initial consultation<\/p><\/div>

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Confidential<\/h3>

Your conversation stays private<\/p><\/div>

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No obligation<\/h3>

Decide whether to move forward<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published November 5, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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When Drinking at Home Has Made Your Household Unsafe<\/h2>\n

If your spouse drinks at home and your household no longer feels safe, Florida’s Marchman Act may give you a legal way to ask a court for help. You didn’t choose this situation, and you may feel like you’re carrying it alone.<\/p>\n

Maybe your spouse drinks until their behavior becomes unpredictable. Maybe bills go unpaid while money disappears. Maybe the kids have seen things no child should see, or you’ve had a scare that sent you looking for help in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n

Many spouses reach a point where they ask whether things can go on this way. This page explains the Florida options in plain terms: what the Marchman Act is, who can file, what a Marchman Act attorney does, and what to expect. It does not promise how any case will end.<\/p>\n\n

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If drinking at home has left your household and your children unsafe, you don't have to sort out your options alone; our team can talk through your 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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What the Marchman Act Is and Who Can File<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s civil process for court-ordered assessment, stabilization and treatment for substance abuse impairment. It sits in Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes.<\/p>\n

If the person is an adult, a spouse can file a petition for involuntary treatment services. The law lists spouses first among those who may file (\u00a7 397.68112<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The law asks whether there is a good faith reason to believe the person is impaired and has lost self-control. It also asks whether one of the following is true: their judgment is so impaired they can’t see their need for help or make a rational decision about it (simply refusing help is not, by itself, proof of this); without treatment they are likely to neglect or refuse to care for themselves in a way that poses a real and present threat of substantial harm, and it isn’t apparent that willing, able and responsible family members or friends, or other services, could prevent that harm; or there is a substantial likelihood they have caused, threatened or attempted, or are likely to cause, physical harm to themselves or others (\u00a7 397.675<\/a>).<\/p>\n

If mental illness is the bigger problem, say so early. The statute also covers a co-occurring mental health disorder. Robinson Casey’s other practice areas include mental health guardianship and involuntary commitment for addiction, so the attorney can explain which path fits your facts.<\/p>\n

What a Marchman Act Attorney Does for a Spouse<\/h2>\n

A Marchman Act attorney helps a spouse turn household facts into a petition the court can act on.<\/p>\n

In practice, that work usually includes:<\/p>\n