What do you do when someone you love is drowning in addiction or severe mental illness—but refuses help?

Attorney and former prosecutor Mark Astor works with families facing exactly that nightmare.

We talk about the point where intervention stops being “controlling” and becomes an act of love, why families often wait until a crisis becomes catastrophic, and the legal options that may exist when someone can no longer make safe decisions for themselves.

Mark breaks down guardianship, Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act, and what happens when addiction, mental health and the criminal justice system collide.

This is a difficult conversation—but an incredibly important one for families who feel like they’ve run out of options.
Mark is a partner at Astor Simovitch Law, where they lead a legal team dedicated to helping families in crisis due to mental health disorders, substance use, and failed recovery efforts. With a practice focused on crisis intervention, Mark Astor and his team are known for using the law not just as a shield—but as a tool for healing.

From securing emergency guardianships and navigating involuntary treatment laws like Florida’s Baker Act and the Marchman Act, to working closely with clinical teams and family systems, Mark Astor helps families regain control when a loved one’s condition threatens their safety, autonomy, or future. Their work sits at the intersection of law, medicine, and mental health—making them a valuable source on how legal systems can be leveraged to support recovery and long-term stability.

https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/