Florida has three statutes that enable counsel representing an individual seeking to protect a loved one who is suffering from substance use and mental health disorders. In this CLE presentation we will analyze how the Marchman Act, Guardianship, and Baker Act can work separately and together to accomplish that goal.

We will examine why one cause of action may be more appropriate than another, and why often, all three may come into play in the same case. We will also examine the time frames for each to get a Court Order, how long they last, and the pitfalls of each.