This question is incredibly difficult to answer. In principle, the rules of matrimonial property law are very fair – in practice, however, it depends on how the two partners have lived together. Interestingly, the Federal Supreme Court takes a more progressive stance than our society as a whole here: It assumes that both parents have an equal desire to raise the children and that both partners should pursue gainful employment, even with children. As a generalization, we can say that men tend to feel at a disadvantage when it comes to childcare/custody and women when it comes to child support/alimony. Ultimately, fairness is in the eye of the beholder. The really big emotions usually arise with the issues relating to children and child support/alimony. Matrimonial property law and retirement provision are usually less emotive.