How does the court rule when elderly people threaten their guardian?

UCERF researchers Femke de Kievit en Wendy Schrama have written the chronicle on the protection of adults for the Dutch Journal of Family and Youth Law (Tijdschrift voor Familie- en Jeugdrecht). The chronicle reviews case law from 1 January 2024 to 1 March 2025. 

Due to an ageing population and the rise in cognitive disorders such as dementia, an increasing number of people require support and protection. In this context, GAM cases (Guardianship, Administration and Mentorship) constitute a significant part of (sub-district) court proceedings. In total, there are 102,000 guardianship cases, 421,000 administration cases and over 20,000 curatorship cases. An increase in the number of guardianship cases is expected, particularly for older people without a social safety net. 

The researchers see an increase in published court cases, in which various themes are highlighted: from proportionality and the relationship between a Lasting Power of Attorney and administration, remuneration of professionals and conflicts within families, but also the question of what judges do if the person concerned threatens the administrator.

The article appeared in the Tijdschrift voor Familie- en Jeugdrecht, no. 6 (2025), pp. 220-228 (in Dutch):