This article deals with the modifications of the “Austrian monarchical” matrimonial law (divided into three reli- gious denominations; no compulsory civil marriage; patriarchal, committed to a middle-class family model; moulded on denominational ideals; obvious in the absence of a law of divorce for Roman Catholics) from 1919 to 1978. Dis- cussions about reform proved without results until 1938 and the so-called “Sever-Ehen” led to the frequently quoted “Marriage Chaos” during the First Republic. The introduction of the German matrimonial law resulted in an im- portant move towards modernisation (non-denominational matrimonial law; compulsory civil marriage). Further discussions about change proved successful only after the abolition of the conservative-Catholic and authoritarian- socialistic paradigm (fundamental reform of Family Law).