{"id":6661,"date":"2026-10-16T05:02:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T05:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-attorney-out-of-state-families\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T15:58:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T15:58:47","slug":"marchman-act-attorney-out-of-state-families","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-attorney-out-of-state-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney for Out-of-State Families in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorney<\/p>

Marchman Act Guidance for Families Living Outside Florida<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses exclusively on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. Call (561) 849-4149 to schedule a free, confidential first consultation, with no obligation to continue.<\/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 16, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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This page explains what a Marchman Act attorney for out-of-state family members can help with in Florida. A relative who lives far away may be able to file a petition, but the petition goes to a Florida court, and the court decides what happens next. Robinson Casey is a Florida law firm that limits its practice to Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters.<\/p>\n

Who This Page Is For and What the Marchman Act Covers<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s civil process for asking a court to order assessment and treatment for substance abuse impairment. Florida courts hear these petitions under the Marchman Act.<\/p>\n

This page is for adult children and other relatives who live outside Florida and worry about a parent or family member there. You may see impaired judgment, unsafe choices, or a loved one who refuses help. The statute addresses those situations, but the court decides whether the criteria are met.<\/p>\n

Florida’s criteria focus on a few questions. Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675<\/a> requires a good faith reason to believe the person is substance abuse impaired and has lost power of self-control over substance use. The statute then requires either impaired judgment about the need for services or a real risk of neglect or harm. Other requirements may apply.<\/p>\n

A county clerk’s Highlands County clerk’s overview<\/a> describes these findings in plain terms.<\/p>\n

Keep two questions apart. A Marchman Act case asks whether a person meets the statute’s criteria for court-ordered treatment. A guardianship case asks whether someone needs a court-appointed decision-maker. The two raise different issues, and one does not replace the other.<\/p>\n\n

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If your parent in Florida is struggling and you live far away, our team can talk through your options in a free, confidential first consultation, with no obligation to continue. 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 a Marchman Act Attorney Handles for Out-of-State Families<\/h2>\n

A Marchman Act attorney reviews your family’s facts, helps decide whether a petition is an option, and helps prepare and file one where appropriate. If the firm is engaged, it can also represent the petitioner at the hearing.<\/p>\n

The statute sets content requirements. A petition must name the respondent and the petitioner, state their relationship, name the respondent’s attorney if known, and set out the facts.<\/p>\n

Those facts include why you believe your relative is impaired and has lost self-control over substance use. They also include why you believe the person may harm themselves or others, or cannot appreciate the need for care. A petition may include a report from a qualified professional who examined the respondent within 30 days before filing. If no assessment happened, the petition must say so.<\/p>\n

Useful information to gather includes:<\/p>\n