Marchman Act in Palm Beach County, Florida

In Palm Beach County, a Marchman Act petition for involuntary substance abuse services is filed with Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, in Florida's Judicial Circuit 15. The petition asks a judge to order assessment, stabilization and, if needed, treatment for someone who has lost control of their substance use.

Filing in Palm Beach County

• Where to file: Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (official Marchman Act information)
• County seat: West Palm Beach
• Judicial circuit: Judicial Circuit 15
• Publicly funded services: Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

Palm Beach County is the only county in Florida's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

Marchman Act petitions are handled by the Clerk's Mental Health division (part of Unified Family Court); the Clerk's self-service packet directs paper filings to Room 3.22 at the Main Branch, the Palm Beach County Courthouse at 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.

The Clerk also accepts filings at branch locations: North County Courthouse (3188 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens), South County Courthouse (200 W. Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach), the Royal Palm Beach Branch (200 Civic Center Way, Ste 400), and the West County Courthouse in Belle Glade.

Petitions can be filed in person, mailed to the Clerk's Mental Health division at P.O. Box 3597, West Palm Beach, FL 33402 (with a stamped return envelope), or e-filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is optional for self-represented filers.

The initial filing includes a Family Court Cover Sheet (Form 12.928), the Petition and Affidavit for Involuntary Treatment Services, a Notice of Related Cases (Form 12.900(h)), a Date of Birth form, an Information/Description Sheet for Sheriff service, and an e-mail designation form.

If an emergency exists, the petition itself can ask the court for an emergency order for assessment and stabilization without a hearing; otherwise a hearing is scheduled within 10 court working days of filing.

The Fifteenth Circuit notes that the Marchman Act does not pay for an individual's assessment or treatment, so families should contact the provider about payment before the appointment.

How the process works

1. File the petition for involuntary treatment services with the clerk. Florida law bars a filing fee.
2. The judge reviews it. In an emergency the court can issue an ex parte order for law enforcement to take the person to a licensed provider.
3. Assessment within 72 hours for adults (longer if detox or medical care is needed).
4. Hearing within 10 court working days. The person has a right to a lawyer.
5. Treatment order of up to 90 days if the petition is granted, renewable for up to 90 more, with discharge planning at the end.

Details: how to file a Marchman Act · requirements · how long it lasts

Detox and treatment near Palm Beach County

Courts order Marchman Act assessments and treatment at licensed providers. Voluntary admission is often faster and is worth trying first.

See the full Marchman Act guide, Marchman Act vs Baker Act and treatment in Palm Beach County. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Neighboring counties

• Marchman Act in Broward County
• Marchman Act in Martin County
• Marchman Act in St. Lucie County
• Marchman Act in Miami-Dade County