-- Mark G. Astor, founder of Astor Simovitch Law Firm, will present "Using Florida Law to Help Families Navigate Substance Use and Mental Illness" at the Florida Society of Addiction Medicine (FSAM) Annual Conference on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The session runs from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. as part of the conference's opening-day program.
FSAM is the Florida chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the national medical society for addiction medicine physicians and specialists. This year's conference, themed "Advancing Addiction Care: Leadership, Science, and Innovation," brings together physicians, psychiatrists, addiction medicine specialists, behavioral health professionals, and attorneys from across Florida.
The full conference agenda, including Astor's session listing, is available at fsam.info/event-6303330.
Astor's presentation covers the legal pathways available to families, healthcare providers, and treatment professionals when a loved one has a severe substance use disorder and is unable or unwilling to seek treatment voluntarily.
"Families often contact us during the most difficult moments of their lives," Astor said. "The Marchman Act can provide a legal pathway toward treatment when it's used appropriately, and I'm honored to share practical guidance with the professionals who work every day to help people struggling with addiction."
Florida's Marchman Act (Chapter 397, Florida Statutes) allows a relative, spouse, legal guardian, or other qualified petitioner to ask a court to order assessment and, where the legal standard is met, treatment for a person with a substance use disorder who cannot or will not seek help voluntarily. There is no court filing fee, and proceedings are confidential under Florida law.
In the coming months, Astor is also scheduled to speak before Florida Bar Associations and other professional organizations on the Marchman Act, behavioral health law, guardianship, and legal intervention for individuals experiencing addiction and mental illness.
Contact Info:
Name: Mark Astor
Email: Send Email
Organization: Astor Simovitch Law Firm
Address: 1200 N. Federal Hwy #200 Boca Raton, FL 33432
Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/
Release ID: 89196968
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