{"id":3694,"date":"2026-10-05T02:09:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T02:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-cost-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T16:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:29:40","slug":"marchman-act-cost-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-cost-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Cost & Fees in Florida | Robinson & Casey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act & Guardianship<\/p>

Marchman Act Cost & Fees in Florida<\/h1>

Transparent pricing for petitions and guardianship matters. Robinson & Casey handles the legal work so you can focus on your family.<\/p>

Schedule a Consultation<\/a><\/div>
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By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 05, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Marchman Act Cost and Fees in Florida: What You’ll Pay<\/h2>\n

No, you cannot initiate your own Marchman Act petition\u2014only a family member, physician, law enforcement officer, or other authorized person can petition the court for involuntary commitment.<\/strong> If you’re seeking help for addiction yourself, voluntary admission to a treatment facility is available without attorney fees or court involvement. If someone you care about is refusing treatment and you believe intervention is necessary, a Marchman Act petition requires legal representation and court filing.<\/p>\n

This guide breaks down exactly what a Marchman Act petition costs, how the process works, and when it’s the right choice.<\/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 Is the Marchman Act and Who Needs It?<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s involuntary commitment statute for substance use disorder<\/a>, codified in Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675. It permits the court to order involuntary admission to treatment when someone has lost the ability to control their substance use and poses a risk to themselves or others\u2014and refuses voluntary help.<\/p>\n

The key distinction:<\/strong> The Marchman Act is court-ordered and involuntary. Voluntary admission requires no petition, no attorney, and no court hearing. You simply walk into a treatment facility or call for admission.<\/p>\n

A Marchman Act petition is initiated by a family member, physician, law enforcement officer, or other authorized person\u2014not by the individual themselves. It’s used when someone refuses treatment despite active addiction and their behavior poses a genuine risk.<\/p>\n

Can You Baker Act or Marchman Act Yourself?<\/h2>\n

No. You cannot file your own Marchman Act petition.<\/strong> The Marchman Act is an involuntary commitment process; only a court can order it, and only an authorized person (typically a family member or healthcare provider) can ask the court to do so.<\/p>\n

The Baker Act<\/strong> (Florida’s mental health crisis statute) is different. You can voluntarily admit yourself to a psychiatric facility through the Baker Act by walking into an emergency room or calling a crisis line. The Marchman Act has no equivalent self-petition option.<\/p>\n

If you want help for addiction right now:<\/strong><\/p>\n