How we work with clients in Dongguan
We help foreign managers, engineers and factory owners in Dongguan — and their spouses and children — with divorce, custody and property matters. We have no office in Dongguan and serve clients from our Shenzhen office and by video, meeting locally when needed.
Family law in DongguanWhich court handles it in Dongguan?
Divorce, custody and support cases are generally heard first by the basic people's court covering the town or subdistrict where the defendant is domiciled. Because Dongguan has no county-level districts, basic courts cover groups of towns and subdistricts rather than districts — we confirm the correct court for your address. If the defendant lives outside mainland China, the court of the plaintiff's domicile can often hear a divorce.
Recognition of foreign divorce judgments and Hong Kong–Mainland arrangement applications go to the Dongguan Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals.
How child support works with us in Dongguan
- 1
Confidential first call
A free 30-minute consultation (by video or phone) to understand your situation and goals.
- 2
Strategy & written quote
Your options, the evidence needed, a realistic timeline and costs — fixed fees wherever the scope is defined.
- 3
Preparation & filing
We draft the documents, gather evidence and file with the competent court or registry for Dongguan.
- 4
Negotiation, mediation or trial
We represent you throughout and report in English or Chinese at every step, through to enforcement.
Child support in China: what the paying parent owes
Child support is about making sure your child's needs are met after the divorce, whoever they live with. The rules on child support in China are relatively clear, but applying them to self-employed, irregular or foreign income is where disputes arise. This page explains how child support is calculated as of 2026, how long it lasts, and what to do if it is not paid.
Want a quick estimate? Use our free child support calculator to see a guideline range based on the paying parent's income and the number of children.
Who pays and why
After divorce, the parent without direct custody bears part or all of the child's living, education and medical expenses (Civil Code Art. 1085). The amount and duration are set by agreement or, if the parents cannot agree, by the court. An agreement does not stop the child from later asking for more when reasonably needed.
Child Support in Dongguan: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Dongguan for child support?
No. We don't have an office in Dongguan; clients there are looked after by our Shenzhen team by video, phone, WeChat or WhatsApp, and we meet locally or attend Dongguan courts and registries in person whenever the case requires it.
Do you have an office in Dongguan?
No. We serve Dongguan clients from our Shenzhen office and by video, and our lawyers travel to Dongguan for meetings or hearings when needed. Most of the work can be done remotely.
My spouse owns a factory in Dongguan. Is the business part of our marital property?
It depends on when and how the business was acquired. Company shares or business income acquired during the marriage are generally community property, even if registered only in your spouse's name. Pre-marital shares are usually separate, though growth during the marriage can raise difficult questions. Valuation often needs accounting evidence.
How much is child support in China?
For a paying parent with fixed income, generally 20% to 30% of monthly total income for one child. For two or more children the percentage may be higher but generally not above 50%. Courts also consider the child's needs and local living standards.
How is child support calculated if the other parent has no fixed income?
It is based on the parent's annual income, or by reference to the average income in the same industry. Bank records, company accounts and lifestyle evidence can help prove real income.
Until what age is child support paid in China?
Generally until the child turns 18. It may stop earlier if a child aged 16 or older lives mainly on their own earnings, and may continue for an adult child who cannot live independently in certain situations.
Can child support be increased later?
Yes. The child can request an increase where reasonably needed, for example because costs of education or medical care have risen, or the paying parent's income has increased significantly. An earlier agreement does not prevent this.
Related guides
China's New Childcare Subsidy and Marriage Leave Rules: What Families Need to Know
Since 2025 China pays RMB 3,600 a year for each child under three, and most provinces have extended marriage leave. How the subsidy works, who can claim it after separation, why it is not child support, and what marriage leave you can expect.
Read the guideHow Much Is Child Support in China? The 20–30% Rule
How child support in China is calculated: the 20–30% of income guideline, the 50% cap for several children, irregular income, how long payments last, increases and enforcement.
Read the guideVisitation Rights in China: Making a Contact Schedule Work (and Enforcing It)
Visitation rights in China belong to every non-custodial parent. How to draft a contact schedule that works, what to do when the other parent blocks contact, and when visitation can be suspended.
Read the guide