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 international child abduction & relocation 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.
International child abduction and China: what parents need to know
Few situations are as frightening as a child being taken across a border without your agreement, or the fear that it might happen. International child abduction involving China is particularly difficult because the usual international return mechanism does not apply to mainland China. This page explains, as of 2026, what the law does and does not offer, how to reduce the risk, what to do urgently, and how to relocate abroad lawfully with a child after divorce.
Mainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention
The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction allows a parent to seek the prompt return of a child wrongfully taken to another member country. However:
- Mainland China is not a party to the Convention.
- Hong Kong and Macau are parties, so the Convention can apply to a child taken to or from Hong Kong or Macau, subject to the other country's status.
This means there is no Hague return application for a child taken to the mainland. A foreign court order for return is not automatically enforceable in mainland China. Remedies instead come from custody proceedings in Chinese courts, negotiation and mediation, and, above all, prevention. See our glossary entry on the Hague Child Abduction Convention.
International Child Abduction & Relocation in Dongguan: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Dongguan for international child abduction & relocation?
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.
Is China part of the Hague Child Abduction Convention?
Mainland China is not a party to the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention. Hong Kong and Macau are. This means there is no Hague return process for a child taken to the mainland.
What can I do if my child has been taken to mainland China?
Act quickly. The main options are custody proceedings in a Chinese court, negotiation and mediation with the other parent, and support from your embassy. A foreign return order is not automatically enforceable on the mainland, so local legal advice is essential.
How can I stop my spouse from taking our child to China?
Prevention is key: obtain a custody order or agreement requiring written consent for travel, control the child's passports, ask your local court about orders prohibiting removal, and use passport alert schemes where available.
Can I move abroad with my child after divorce in China?
Yes, if the other parent consents in writing or a court approves it. Without consent, you may need to ask the court to modify custody or visitation. Moving without consent can harm your position and may amount to wrongful removal in other countries.
Related guides
Can My Spouse Take Our Child to China? Abduction Risk and the Hague Convention
Mainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention. What that means if your spouse takes your child to China, how to reduce the risk, and what remedies exist.
Read the guideIs China Part of the Hague Convention? Child Abduction, Apostille and Service Explained
It depends which Hague Convention you mean. Mainland China is not party to the Child Abduction Convention (Hong Kong and Macao are), but has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 November 2023 and the Service Convention since 1992.
Read the guideDual Nationality and the Children of International Couples in China
China does not recognise dual nationality, yet many children of international couples hold two passports. How Chinese nationality is decided at birth, what the Chinese travel document is for, and why nationality matters in custody and relocation.
Read the guide