{"id":6162,"date":"2026-10-14T02:35:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T02:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/how-to-commit-someone-to-rehab\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T16:13:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:13:22","slug":"how-to-commit-someone-to-rehab","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/how-to-commit-someone-to-rehab\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Commit Someone to Rehab in Florida | Robinson Casey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorney | Florida<\/p>

Understanding Marchman Act Options for Your Family<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses exclusively on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. Start with a free, confidential first consultation, with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

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By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 13, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Florida law lets certain people ask a court to order involuntary treatment for substance use. A family member cannot simply decide that someone must enter rehab. The court makes that decision based on the evidence.<\/p>\n

If you’re asking how to commit someone to rehab, this guide walks through the general route. It also covers the other options families weigh. This is general information, not advice about your situation.<\/p>\n

What Involuntary Rehab Means Under Florida’s Marchman Act<\/h2>\n

Involuntary rehab is court-ordered assessment and treatment for a person with a substance use problem. In Florida, that route runs through the Marchman Act.<\/p>\n

Voluntary treatment works differently. Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.601<\/a>, a person who wants treatment may apply to a service provider for voluntary admission.<\/p>\n

The Marchman Act covers substance use. It does not cover every behavior problem a family faces. The criteria for involuntary admission appear in Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675<\/a>. That section lists several requirements, so read the full text before relying on any summary. The court decides whether they are met. J.C. v. State<\/a> is an appellate decision addressing these requirements. Other requirements may also apply.<\/p>\n\n

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If a family member's substance use has you worried, you don't have to sort out Florida's Marchman Act alone, and a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation is available. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Who Can File a Petition and What It Must Include<\/h2>\n

For an adult, section 397.68112, Florida Statutes, provides that a spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult with direct personal knowledge may file. Other requirements may apply, and the court decides. For a minor, section 397.68112, Florida Statutes, provides that a parent, legal guardian, or service provider may file, subject to the statute’s other requirements and the court’s determination. Other requirements may apply, and the court decides.<\/p>\n

Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68141<\/a>, a petition must name the respondent and the petitioner. It must state their relationship and the respondent’s attorney, if known. It must also set out the facts that support the request.<\/p>\n

Those facts must explain:<\/p>\n