{"id":8391,"date":"2026-10-20T01:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T01:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/after-marchman-act-order-ends-aftercare\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T05:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T05:13:13","slug":"after-marchman-act-order-ends-aftercare","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/after-marchman-act-order-ends-aftercare\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens After Marchman Act Treatment Ends in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marchman Act Guidance | South Florida and Statewide<\/p>

What Happens After Marchman Act Treatment Ends in Florida<\/h1>

Treatment ending does not end the questions. Here is how families in South Florida can think through the court process, the next steps, and the options that may matter for a loved one.<\/p>

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

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If you’re asking what happens after Marchman Act treatment ends, the short answer is this: the person is automatically discharged when the court-ordered period runs out, unless someone asked the court to renew the order first. Florida law also requires a discharge plan. This guide walks through that period step by step, for family members in Miami-Dade, South Florida, and across the state, and for the person under the order.<\/p>\n

What a Marchman Act Treatment Order Ending Actually Means<\/h2>\n

The end of a Marchman Act treatment order is a legal event. It is separate from how the person is doing. The court record sets the date it happens.<\/p>\n

Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes covers the Marchman Act. It lets a court order involuntary treatment for substance abuse impairment. The first treatment period can run up to 90 days, with a licensed service provider doing the care (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.697<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The state’s Florida DCF Marchman Act information<\/a> describes significant risk to oneself or others from substance impairment as a reason for referral. That is how many cases begin.<\/p>\n

Families often expect a sharp break when the order ends. The break is usually legal, not clinical. The person may still need care, while the order is no longer in force. That shift is why the family’s focus often moves from crisis to continuity. The question changes from “how do we get them into treatment?” to “how do we keep them connected to care?”<\/p>\n\n

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A family facing the end of a Marchman Act order often has urgent questions they didn't plan for, and we're glad to talk them through with you. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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How Long a Marchman Act Treatment Order Can Last<\/h2>\n

A first court-ordered treatment period lasts up to 90 days. A renewal can add up to another 90 days.<\/p>\n

The automatic end point is spelled out in Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.6977<\/a>. At the end of the 90-day period, the person is automatically discharged. The exception is a motion to renew that was filed with the court.<\/p>\n

Renewal has its own timeline. A renewal petition must be filed before the period expires. The court must schedule a hearing within 10 court working days, held no more than 15 days after filing (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.6975<\/a>). Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.6975 reads: “The hearing is conducted pursuant to ss. 397.6957 and 397.697 and must be held before the circuit court unless referred to a magistrate.” If the court grants renewal, it may order up to an additional 90 days.<\/p>\n

The order can also end early. Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.6971<\/a> lists grounds for early discharge. These include a person who no longer meets involuntary admission criteria and gives informed consent to voluntary status. They also include a person who no longer needs treatment services.<\/p>\n

The core question is whether the person still meets the legal criteria. The exact timeline in a given case depends on the facts and the court record. For a broader overview, read our involuntary commitment for addiction guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Discharge Planning Before the Order Ends<\/h2>\n

Before release, the provider must plan for the person’s needs and write them down. The statute sets the minimum parts of that plan (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.6977<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The minimum parts are: follow-up behavioral health appointments; information on how to obtain prescribed medications; information on available living arrangements and transportation; and referral to recovery support opportunities, including connection to a recovery peer.<\/p>\n