The work examines the developments of patronage declarations, focusing on the distinction and legal consequences of hard and soft types of declarations. But when does one speak of a hard declaration, and what exactly does the obligation to provide support entail? In addition to the external patronage declarations known as credit security instruments, this work also highlights the internal patronage declaration, which is often used as a means to avoid insolvency. Therefore, the main focus of the work is on the following questions: What legal consequences arise from the insolvency of the protégé? How and when can the patron further disengage from a patronage declaration? Both questions are discussed, among other things, in light of the STAR 21 ruling of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH).