{"id":8383,"date":"2026-10-20T01:13:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T01:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-homeless-relative-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T01:07:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T01:07:28","slug":"marchman-act-homeless-relative-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-homeless-relative-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney Florida: Homeless Adult Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Attorney \u00b7 South Florida & Statewide<\/p>

Helping Families Navigate Marchman Act Petitions for Homeless Adult Treatment<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and throughout Florida. Your first consultation is free, confidential and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

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By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 19, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Florida families can ask a court to order treatment for an adult who is using drugs or alcohol and refuses help. The main tool is the Marchman Act, the state process for involuntary assessment and treatment. A family member files a petition, and a judge decides after a hearing. If you are trying to learn how to get homeless adult into treatment Florida, this page walks through the process in plain steps.<\/p>\n

Robinson Casey limits its practice to Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters. The firm serves families across South Florida and statewide.<\/p>\n

What the Marchman Act Is and Who It Fits<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act lets a court order assessment and treatment for an adult who is substance abuse impaired; the petitioner has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent meets the statutory conditions. The Florida Department of Children and Families<\/a> says the law also allows voluntary admission.<\/p>\n

Under \u00a7 397.68112<\/a>, a petition for an adult may be filed by a spouse or legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult who has direct personal knowledge of the respondent\u2019s substance abuse impairment and his or her prior course of assessment and treatment. The person who files is the petitioner. The person named in the case is the respondent.<\/p>\n

The court needs more than a bad week. Under \u00a7 397.675<\/a>, a person meets the criteria for involuntary admission if there is good faith reason to believe that the person is substance abuse impaired or has a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder, and because of that impairment or disorder has lost the power of self-control with respect to substance abuse and either lacks the judgment to see the need for services, or, without care, is likely to neglect himself or herself in a way that poses a real and present threat of substantial harm and it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing, able, and responsible family members or friends or the provision of other services, or there is a substantial likelihood that the person has inflicted, threatened, or is likely to inflict physical harm on himself, herself, or another.<\/p>\n

A common fit is a relative who is living on the street, using substances, and refusing help, when that use puts their health or safety at serious risk. Whether the law fits your family depends on the facts. This is a court case, not a police action. Under \u00a7 397.6818<\/a>, after an ex parte order is issued, the court may further order a law enforcement officer or another designated agent of the court to take the respondent into custody and deliver him or her for evaluation.<\/p>\n\n

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If your relative is living outdoors and using drugs or alcohol, you don't have to work out the next step alone. Call Robinson Casey at (561) 849-4149 to talk through the facts. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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How to Get a Homeless Adult Into Treatment in Florida<\/h2>\n

Start by writing down what you have seen and what help has been offered. A petition needs facts, not general worry.<\/p>\n

Under \u00a7 397.68141<\/a>, a petition must include the name of the respondent, the name of the petitioner, the relationship between them, the name of the respondent\u2019s attorney if known, and the factual allegations establishing the need for involuntary services for substance abuse impairment:<\/p>\n