{"id":23111,"date":"2026-11-15T04:39:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-15T04:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/husband-drinks-at-home-kids-marchman-act-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-11-15T07:02:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-15T07:02:13","slug":"husband-drinks-at-home-kids-marchman-act-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/husband-drinks-at-home-kids-marchman-act-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney for a Husband Who Drinks in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h1>Marchman Act Attorney for a Husband Who Drinks in Florida<\/h1>\n<p>If your spouse drinks at home while your children are there, you may be asking whether a Florida court can step in. Yes. Florida law lets a spouse file a Marchman Act petition, which asks a judge to order an assessment and, if the legal criteria are met, treatment for an adult with a substance use problem.<\/p>\n<p>This page explains who can file, what a petition must say, how the process moves, and what your household can expect while it runs.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is a Marchman Act Petition, and Who Can File One?<\/h2>\n<p>A Marchman Act petition is a written request to a Florida court for an involuntary assessment and, if needed, treatment for an adult who has lost the power of self-control over substance use.<\/p>\n<p>Many families in Florida know this process by the name Marchman Act. It names who may file. If the person is an adult, a spouse, legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult with direct personal knowledge of the person&#8217;s substance abuse and prior care may file; if the person is a minor, a parent, legal guardian, or service provider may file. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68112.html\">\u00a7 397.68112 on who may file<\/a> sets out that list.<\/p>\n<p>The criteria reach more than drinking alone. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.675.html\">\u00a7 397.675 on admission criteria<\/a> lists those conditions.<\/p>\n<h2>Can a Spouse File When the Children Are at Home?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, a spouse can file.<\/p>\n<p>The petition must give your reasons for believing the person is impaired and has lost self-control. It must also say either that the person has harmed or is likely to harm himself, herself, or others, or that the person&#8217;s refusal of care comes from judgment so impaired that he or she cannot see the need for it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68141.html\">\u00a7 397.68141 on petition contents<\/a> sets out these requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Facts that usually belong in a petition include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dated incidents at home and what happened<\/li>\n<li>What the children saw, heard, or were exposed to<\/li>\n<li>Injuries, falls, or damage to property<\/li>\n<li>Driving with the children in the car, or leaving them unsupervised<\/li>\n<li>Past treatment attempts, and any refusal to be assessed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The petition must also say if the person was never assessed or refused an evaluation. It may include a report from a qualified professional who examined the person within 30 days before filing.<\/p>\n<p>If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. The petition is a court process and does not replace emergency help.<\/p>\n<h2>What Does a Petition Cover, and What Does It Not?<\/h2>\n<p>A petition asks a judge for an involuntary assessment. Treatment can follow only if the court finds the legal conditions proved.<\/p>\n<p>The court must find those conditions by clear and convincing evidence before it orders treatment. An order may last up to 90 days. A renewal may be requested before those 90 days end if the conditions are expected to continue. An order may last up to 90 days, and a renewal may be requested before the 90 days end if the conditions are expected to continue.<\/p>\n<p>What a petition can lead to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clinical assessment.<\/strong> The court hears and reviews the results of the assessment completed by a qualified professional, and the respondent must be present at a hearing on a petition for involuntary treatment services unless the court finds he or she knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waives the right to be present or, upon receiving proof of service and evaluating the circumstances of the case, that presence is inconsistent with his or her best interests or likely to be injurious to self or others. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.6957.html\">\u00a7 397.6957 on hearing evidence<\/a> covers this.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Emergency orders.<\/strong> In an emergency, the court may rely on the petition alone and enter an ex parte assessment and stabilization order. It may direct law enforcement to take the person to a licensed provider for evaluation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.6818.html\">\u00a7 397.6818 on emergency orders<\/a> explains the process.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ongoing oversight.<\/strong> After a treatment order, the court keeps jurisdiction and can monitor compliance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What a petition does not settle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Divorce, custody, or money questions. These are separate legal matters that need their own advice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Does the Process Work, Step by Step?<\/h2>\n<p>The case moves from filing to a hearing, and once the court orders involuntary treatment services, it keeps jurisdiction over the case and the parties. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68151.html\">\u00a7 397.68151 on court duties<\/a> requires a hearing within 10 court working days unless the court grants a continuance.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Gather facts.<\/strong> Write down dates, incidents, and witnesses. Vague claims are hard to act on. Dated, specific facts give the petition its content.<\/li>\n<li>In <a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/517637\/opinion\/Opinion_16-3789.pdf\">J.P. v. J.N.<\/a>, the court stated that the filing of the petition in the wrong county did not divest the circuit court in Putnam County of jurisdiction.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Address counsel.<\/strong> The court decides whether the person has a lawyer or needs one appointed. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.681.html\">\u00a7 397.681 on counsel<\/a> gives the person that right at every stage, though the person may waive it if present and the court finds the waiver knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Handle emergency holds.<\/strong> Unless a circuit court&#8217;s chief judge authorizes private process servers, the clerk must electronically submit the summons to a law enforcement agency within 6 hours after it is issued, so the person can be served.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Decision.<\/strong> The judge decides the petition at the hearing, which must be scheduled within 10 court working days unless a continuance is granted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Plan to present your own witnesses and records. <a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/2435829\/opinion\/Opinion_2024-0354.pdf\">C.W.R.K. Fifth District decision<\/a> says so. A Fourth District court reached a different result and certified conflict. <a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/2438091\/opinion\/Opinion_2023-2185.pdf\">J.J.J. v. D.G. Fourth District decision<\/a> shows that split. In <a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/2435829\/opinion\/Opinion_2024-0354.pdf\">C.W.R.K. v. Stewart Marchman Act Behavioral Healthcare<\/a>, the trial court failed to follow the governing statute when, in the absence of the petitioner, it called and questioned the health care professional who executed the involuntary services certificate.<\/p>\n<h2>What Can Your Household Expect While the Case Moves?<\/h2>\n<p>Expect tension at home, and expect routines to shift while the case moves. Children may feel confused or scared. Your spouse may be upset when a court is involved.<\/p>\n<p>Practical steps you can take now:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep school, meals, and bedtime routines as steady as you can.<\/li>\n<li>Keep a written log of dated events, with the names of anyone who saw them.<\/li>\n<li>Gather bills, bank statements, and key papers in one place.<\/li>\n<li>Set a safety plan for the children with a trusted adult.<\/li>\n<li>Don&#8217;t hand over the petition in a tense moment. Plan the timing before you act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The person named in the petition has a right to a lawyer at every stage, which the person may waive if present and the court finds the waiver is made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. A Second District court has held that this right rests on due process. <a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/247103\/opinion\/Opinion_02-547.pdf\">Hillsborough County v. Albrechta<\/a> addressed that point. That lawyer represents that person. Your role is to give the court accurate facts.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Robinson Casey Handles These Matters<\/h2>\n<p>Robinson Casey limits its practice to Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families in South Florida and across the state. Every matter the firm takes falls within those areas.<\/p>\n<p>The firm&#8217;s work includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marchman Act petitions and involuntary commitment for addiction<\/li>\n<li>Guardianship, including emergency temporary, plenary, limited, and mental health guardianship<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Richard J. Casey III, Esq. is the lawyer responsible for this page. Our team includes lawyers and support staff who work on these petitions. The firm serves Miami-Dade County and South Florida families, as well as families statewide.<\/p>\n<h2>What Questions Do Families Ask About the Marchman Act?<\/h2>\n<p>Florida law answers several of the most common questions directly.<\/p>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does a Marchman Act petition cost money?<\/summary><p>The clerk may not charge a fee to file the petition, and other costs depend on the facts. The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Will my spouse be arrested?<\/summary><p>The goal is assessment and care, not punishment. If the conditions for involuntary treatment services have been proved by clear and convincing evidence, the court may direct the sheriff to take the person into custody and deliver him or her to a licensed service provider, if the court finds it necessary. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.6818.html\">\u00a7 397.6818<\/a> explains when a court may enter an ex parte order for the person&#8217;s involuntary assessment and stabilization.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How do I start a petition in Florida?<\/summary><p>Write down dated facts, then file with the clerk in the county where the person is located.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does a petition decide divorce or custody?<\/summary><p>No. It addresses one adult&#8217;s substance use and safety, and divorce, custody, and money questions are separate.<\/p><\/details>\n<h2>Talk With Robinson Casey About Your Household<\/h2>\n<p>If your spouse drinks while the children are home, you may be carrying the worry, the bills, and the daily decisions alone. You don&#8217;t have to work out Florida&#8217;s process by yourself.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Results in prior cases do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. Please consult a licensed Florida attorney for advice specific to your situation. Robinson Casey, 6400 Congress Ave #2050, Boca Raton, FL 33487.<\/em><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/\">Marchman Act Attorney<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-petition-help-parents-adult-children-florida\/\">Marchman Act Petition Help for Parents of Adult Children in Florida<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- chg:section-siblings -->\n<nav aria-label=\"More in this section\">\n<h2>More in this section<\/h2>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/in-which-states-is-the-marchman-act-implemented\/\">In which states is the Marchman Act implemented?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/\">Involuntary Commitment for Addiction in Florida<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/legal-options-after-repeated-overdoses-florida\/\">What Legal Options Exist After Repeated Overdoses in Florida?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-addiction-danger-criteria\/\">Marchman Act Grounds: Addiction, Substance Abuse &amp; Danger to Self<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-after-baker-act-florida\/\">Marchman Act After a Baker Act Hold: What Happens Next in Florida<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida law lets a spouse file a Marchman Act petition. 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