Testimonials

Click on the comments below to read entire quote from families we've guided through the Marchman Act process:

...Joe ensures that those who need care the most receive the opportunity to recover. His work not only upholds the rights of those he represents but also offers a pathway to healing, often when all other options seem exhausted.

~ Deborah Kuzmin

Joe Considine is a highly skilled and compassionate attorney specializing in the Marchman Act, a Florida law designed to help individuals struggling with chronic mental health and substance use disorders. His dedication to helping individuals remain in treatment has saved countless lives. Through his legal expertise and deep understanding of the complexities of addiction and mental health, Joe ensures that those who need care the most receive the opportunity to recover. His work not only upholds the rights of those he represents but also offers a pathway to healing, often when all other options seem exhausted. Joe’s commitment to his clients and their well-being is truly remarkable, making him a standout advocate in the field.

...he has been nothing short of a godsend for the families...

~ Alexis Haines

As a professional working in the behavioral health industry I have had to use Joe's services many times over the years. With each client he has been nothing short of a godsend for the families who I connect him with. He is prompt, professional and compassionate. He advocates for fair and safe outcomes and helps us to keep our clients safe. It has been a pleasure to work with him and his team. We look forward to continuing to use his services.

The compassion Joe and his team show for the family and individual struggling that makes the process resolve with healing and empathy. Joe's a great resource for any family struggling with substance abuse or mental health problems.

~ Ryan Potter

Joe's an extremely experienced and compassionate attorney. Joe's ability to navigate and support a family in crisis is special. The compassion Joe and his team show for the family and individual struggling that makes the process resolve with healing and empathy. Joe's a great resource for any family struggling with substance abuse or mental health problems.

Joe Considine is not just an outstanding and highly qualified Marchman Act attorney, but he’s an incredible person who will work tirelessly to get help for individuals impacted by addiction.

~ John Puls

Joe Considine is not just an outstanding and highly qualified Marchman Act attorney, but he’s an incredible person who will work tirelessly to get helped for individuals impacted by addiction. I’ve had the privilege of working with him on many cases and frequently refer clients to him. Any families considering retaining Joe to intervene on your loved one with addiction should not hesitate.

You will not find anyone more knowledgeable about the Marchman Act and the process of enforcing the law when your love one violates the court order.

~ Amy Midis

I would highly recommend Joe and his team for your loved one. You will not find anyone more knowledgeable about the Marchman Act and the process of enforcing the law when your love one violates the court order. He was extremely responsive and acted with great urgency during the entire process. He is the perfect person to help guide you through this very emotional and challenging process.

Joe has become one of the greatest advocates for brain health and helping patients get the care they need to find their path to recovery.

~ Terry Shapiro

My team and I are so grateful to Joe Considine and his team at Considine family law. Not only do they go beyond the call of duty on every situation but are always extremely helpful and educate our families and staff about the Marchman Act process. Joe has become one of the greatest advocates for brain health and helping patients get the care they need to find their path to recovery.

...we have participated in a process that has enabled miracles to happen

~ Mike Appel

I have worked with Joe on dozens of cases with very complex families and their loved ones. Most of the the cases began as truly tragic and hopeless. He works tirelessly to help support families save lives. Together we have participated in a process that has enabled miracles to happen. CCM and I are so grateful to have Joe and his team as a resource for families in need.

...his compassion for those afflicted by the disease of addiction, AND those who love them, that takes his knowledge and legal expertise to another level and truly effectuates his success in making that difference. You can't put a price on that.

~ Kathleen K

Our family had suffered the loss of a sister from alcoholism. After her death, my brother’s substance use disorder spiraled out of control. He was on the same trajectory as my sister with his drinking. And his problem was compounded by a long standing addiction to opiates. He was in and out of short term detox and mental health facilities but he repeatedly refused follow-up addiction treatment. He became homeless and we stopped hearing from him. So we filed a Missing Persons Report with the Sheriff's Department. We were terrified that we were going to lose another family member to a foe that at times seemed invincible. When we were alerted that my brother had been admitted to a local hospital, we knew we only had a short window of opportunity to help him. So we called Joe Considine. Joe's calm and reassuring manner allayed my mother's fears and gave us hope. He responded swiftly and adeptly accomplished what we had been unable to do for my sister. On Mother's Day, my brother went directly from his hospital bed to detox. Five months later he was successfully discharged from treatment. He has reunited with his children and interacts with his grandchildren, who he barely knew, on an almost daily basis. I am forever grateful to Joe for this priceless gift. We could not have done it without him. Joe is incredibly masterful and knowledgeable when it comes to the law. And his understanding of the disease of addiction and how it affects the brain and, subsequently, the behavior of addicts and alcoholics is comprehensive. But in my opinion, what truly makes Joe exceptional is his passion and compassion. In working with him, it is obvious that he has a deep passion and desire to make a difference. But watch and listen to how he personally interacts and communicates. And you will see clearly that it is his compassion for those afflicted by the disease of addiction, AND those who love them, that takes his knowledge and legal expertise to another level and truly effectuates his success in making that difference. You can't put a price on that. Joe, there are no words to express our family's profound gratitude to you for your incomparable expertise, passion, and compassion. Except maybe from my mother, who said that my brother entering detox and beginning his journey of recovery on Mother's Day was "the greatest Mothers Day gift she's ever received." Thank you, Counselor.

Joe Considine's expertise in executing the Marchman Act was invaluable in our efforts to keep our son in treatment. His caring and compassionate approach along with his timely responsiveness to our every question and need made the entire process as seamless as possible.

~ Jane Dorn

While at first, the idea of going to court to obtain a court order to require our son to be in treatment felt like a daunting and worrisome step, we felt we had to do it to save his life. Looking back now, we believe it was the most impactful thing that we did. Our son believes this as well and points to this decision as the thing that made all the difference in his recovery.

~ DF and MF

Joe saved our son’s life. Without the court mandated 90 days in Rehab that Joe secured with lightening speed, our son could never have broken free from the powerful and evil drug that was systematically destroying his life. Our consulting team, one of the best in the country, recommended Joe Considine and thank God they did. For months we’d fought to save our son’s life, a straight A student who’d fallen so hard and so fast into the nightmare world of hard drugs and addiction. Prior to working with Joe, while we’d succeeded in getting our son into Residential Treatment, we continued to suffer from a repeating cycle of heart breaking phone calls informing us that he’d left the program prematurely and relapsed. It was Joe’s ability to quickly obtain the Marchman Act mandate for 90 days of treatment that gave our son enough time for the drug to get out of his system and allow him to benefit from the care of his clinical team. While at first, the idea of going to court to obtain a court order to require our son to be in treatment felt like a daunting and worrisome step, we felt we had to do it to save his life. Looking back now, we believe it was the most impactful thing that we did. Our son believes this as well and points to this decision as the thing that made all the difference in his recovery. If you are considering whether or not to work with Joe and proceed with the Marchman Act, do it. It’s what changed everything for our son. It’s what saved his life. He’s now five months sober and embracing his recovery team’s advice. Joe was just amazing. He knows the Marchman Act and all of the players involved unlike anyone else. He moved so quickly and was always there for us with intelligence, solid advice and kindness. I am so grateful we found him. There aren’t enough words for me to express how strongly I recommend that you work with him.

Joe and his team were instrumental in sparing our family the unimaginable tragedy of being the broken parents of losing a child to the Fentynal crisis.

~ J and KW

It is very likely that Joe and his team were instrumental in sparing our family the unimaginable tragedy of being the broken parents of losing a child to the Fentynal crisis. We will forever be thankful for Joe’s quick action and for his knowledge regarding addiction and for his help guiding us through the Marchman Act.

We firmly believe that Joe and his team's efforts have saved our son's life. It is clear that Considine Law's efforts are not just their occupation, but truly their vocation.

~ Mike S

When our 18 year old son decided to check himself out of a rehab facility, Joe and his team reacted with incredible speed and efficiency in getting the Marchman's Order in place. As if that wasn't enough, with the Marchman's Order in hand, Joe went to the Palm Beach airport and worked with airport security and local law enforcement to intercept our son at the terminal as he attempted to return to our home State. Escorted to detox, it was soon evident that in the 48 hours since checking himself out, our son had immediately returned to heavy and serious drug use. After his intense anger subsided and through excellent counseling, our son eventually revealed that his life was in serious danger several times during those 48 hours. Nine months later, our son continues to advance in his recovery. We firmly believe that Joe and his team's efforts have saved our son's life. It is clear that Considine Law's efforts are not just their occupation, but truly their vocation. We are grateful beyond words to Joe and his team.

We had just about given up all hope and were in a complete state of despair, fearing that the worst was about to happen. Then, thank God, we met Joe Considine. You explained to us that there was another option to help our son – the Marchman Act.

~ N&M

We truly believe that you saved our son’s life. Before my wife and I met you, our son was dangerously unstable and completely resistant to treatment of any form. He would do anything to get drugs to satisfy his addiction and had escaped from every recovery center we sent him to. He had become an expert on manipulating the medical system and went from one hospital to another in order to get drugs. We would get calls in the middle of the night that he had overdosed and was in an ambulance on the way to an emergency room. A few days after each of these episodes, he would be released, and the cycle would start over again. We couldn’t sleep and were terrified every time the phone would ring, not knowing what terrible news to expect. We had just about given up all hope and were in a complete state of despair, fearing that the worst was about to happen. Then, thank god, we met Joe Considine. You explained to us that there was another option to help our son – the Marchman Act. Initially, the thought of using legal action to force our son to treatment was very frightening. You walked us through the process with kindness and understanding. You explained how you had dedicated your life to helping families like ours as a result of your own family experience with addiction. On the day of the hearing, the recovery center that we had selected for our son called to let us know that they could no longer accept him because he was too unstable. We were in a state of panic as the hearing was set to begin in a few hours. You, however, did not panic, and you immediately introduced us to another recovery facility, just in time for the hearing. As a result of your professionalism, the court ruled in our favor and remanded our son to treatment for 90 days. We know our son still has a long road to travel, but he has made enormous progress. He has completed his 90 days and is ready for the next phase of his journey. We and he are now finally hopeful for a brighter future, and we would not be here today without everything you have done for us. We remain eternally grateful to you.

The Marchman Act petition we filed with Joe's expert advice left our brother with a simple choice to go to treatment or jail. He chose the treatment.

~ PH & PS

"Our efforts to convince our middle aged brother to seek treatment sooner were fruitless, and eventually his addiction culminated in a life threatening crisis. The Marchman Act petition we filed with Joe's expert advice left our brother with a simple choice to go to treatment or jail. He chose the treatment. Not only did Joe guide us through the entire legal process, but he also helped to connect us with resources to get our sibling the help he needed.

"Joe saved our son's life, so he could have a tomorrow."

~ TB & SM

"By initiating the Marchman Act, we were able to keep our son in treatment. Joe saved our son's life, so he could have a tomorrow. We are forever grateful.

"Within 24 hours of my first call to Joe, we had a court order and the following day she was in rehab."

~ RM

"Joe Considine helped save my wife’s life and restored our family including allowing 2 children to have their mother back. With my wife suffering from Alcoholism and refusing to get treatment, I turned to Joe to get her court ordered rehab through the Marchman Act. Within 24 hours of my first call to Joe, we had a court order and the following day she was in rehab. Joe and his staff worked quickly and efficiently to ensure she received the treatment she needed. He kept me informed and sent me emails with all filings and communications with other parties throughout the process. He prepared me for the hearings and walked me through what to expect so I was fully prepared. There was a very difficult and uninformed opposing counsel who potentially could have derailed our efforts but Joe was able to push forward and get the court order for a full stint in rehab and sober living. Fast forward several months, and a family has been reunited and rebuilding their lives with total sobriety and 12 step programs. Joe is an attorney who is passionate about what he does and cares about his clients and their families. He is the first person you should call if a loved one is suffering from the disease of addiction and needs help."

"The process of having legal repercussions for my daughter’s running and non-participation was enough incentive to keep her in treatment long enough to turn the corner."

~ LW

"Joe Considine was my attorney to enact The Marchman Act to save my daughters’ life. He was incredibly professional and thorough and walked me thru the process in a loving and understanding manner. I had NO idea a process like the Marchman Act existed and am telling many parents of drug addicted young adults of Joe’s knowledge and professionalism in this extremely emotional arena. Joe helped me move my daughter to a treatment center that fit her brain trauma-he is well connected and respected by the judges and the treatment centers alike which was so helpful in court. My daughter was treated with respect and dignity throughout this entire process. I highly recommend Joe and today my daughter is home, sober and amazingly back to work and her mind is functioning very well. The process of having legal repercussions for my daughter’s running and non-participation was enough incentive to keep her in treatment long enough to turn the corner. The process of having legal repercussions for my daughter’s running and non-participation was enough incentive to keep her in treatment long enough to turn the corner. I wish all parents knew of this opportunity and had Joe as a partner to help them. I will be available to speak with anyone about my process and the results-even if she shifts back to prior substance abuse, she has been given the best opportunity to save her life. I recommend this highly!"

"I was so sick that I needed the Marchman Act to give me the time to have a perception change; to see truth."

~ Katie Beth Clark

[A TESTIMONIAL TWIST: Usually these testimonials are from the client, who is usually the family member of the person in need of the Marchman Act. This grateful testimonial is from the actual recovered addict and has given permission to use her full name.]

"The Marchman Act saved my life. Many rehabs tell patients "your best thinking got you here." My experience was different. An interventionist got me to a rehab in Florida, and the Marchman Act kept me there. My best thinking got me arrested. My best thinking got me into hospitals with pancreatitis countless times. My best thinking had me accepting that I would die by 40, would never have kids, and an illusion that I was hurting no one around me, except myself. I was beyond angry when I saw Joe Considine and my family in court. "THEY KNEW NOTHING!". I was so sick that I needed the Marchman Act to give me the time to have a perception change; to see truth. Today I know that Joe is a guardian angel, and my family and friends are fighters. I am 31 years old, I have my entire life ahead of me, and I am a recovered alcoholic and addict. I can't even believe those words just came out of my mouth! The word gratitude doesn't even do justice for how thankful I am in my heart. Joe, thank you SO MUCH for giving my family the opportunity to save my life."

"He is not only an exceptional attorney, but also a knowledgeable, skilled and deeply networked addiction treatment professional."

~ AW

I utilized the Marchman Act recently to get help for my daughter who has struggled with substance use disorders. Joe Considine was my attorney during this process. He is extremely knowledgeable in this area of the law. He is not only an exceptional attorney, but also a knowledgeable, skilled and deeply networked addiction treatment professional. As the parent of an adult child whose struggles first brought me in contact with Joe and a licensed Psychotherapist and professional Interventionist, I can say that the Marchman Act is a very effective tool for families who have loved ones who struggle with addiction. Joe is a rare find and a valuable (if not essential) resource for discerning family members who are looking to help their loved one find some traction in life. Joe possesses a rare blend of professional savvy, heartfelt authenticity and day-to-day dedication to his work.

"I hold no more power against addiction than does the addict that I love so deeply, but the Marchman Act has just enough power if coupled with the right treatment facility to give my addict the time to learn about themselves apart from their dependency and begin to heal."

~ HK

Taking the step for the Marchman Act was an incredibly difficult and emotional decision. Weighed against the other potential outcomes that I could see then and now it remains the best decision I could have made, I feel honestly the only true option left before tragedy. Since filing the Marchman Act case, and the corresponding treatment period, I’ve come to learn more about the mechanisms of the monster (addiction) and have been able to separate this from the addict, seeing them separately and without anger for the first time in so very long. I had no idea just how sick we both were even though I lived with it daily. The kindness you gave over the phone was a life ring for me, tossed just as I thought it was all over. Unexpectedly I have found much freedom from my own co-dependency, ongoing healing that I had not anticipated. You and I spoke more than once before moving forward and what convinced me of pursuing the Marchman Act was a comment you made about being able to tell my children that I had in fact exhausted all options to provide as much help as was possible, that I had left no stone unturned-in the event my wife’s life was cut short by addiction. I realize now that I hold no more power against addiction than does the addict that I love so deeply, but the Marchman Act has just enough power if coupled with the right treatment facility to give my addict the time to learn about themselves apart from their dependency and begin to heal. I am grateful that Florida has made this available and even more grateful for the your kindness and reassuring of experience in this. It works-Hallelujah it works. We live a different life today. The road is clearly long and imperfect, but it clearly has a new direction now.

"Your empathy and responsiveness is gratefully acknowledged. We can see how you must be a great asset to families in situations like ours."

~ DC & KC

Thank you and your colleagues for your professional service when we were down in Florida in May. The week we spent in Florida was a traumatic time. Your empathy and responsiveness is gratefully acknowledged. We can see how you must be a great asset to families in situations like ours.