How we work with clients in Foshan
We help foreign residents, overseas Chinese families and mixed-nationality couples connected to Foshan with divorce, custody, property and inheritance. We have no office in Foshan and serve clients from our Guangzhou office and by video, meeting locally when needed.
Family law in FoshanWhich court handles it in Foshan?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic (district) people's court where the defendant is domiciled — Foshan's districts are Chancheng, Nanhai, Shunde, Gaoming and Sanshui. 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 applications under the Hong Kong–Mainland matrimonial arrangement, go to the Foshan Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals from the district courts.
How property division in divorce works with us in Foshan
- 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 Foshan.
- 4
Negotiation, mediation or trial
We represent you throughout and report in English or Chinese at every step, through to enforcement.
Property division in divorce in China
After the children, money is usually the biggest source of conflict in a divorce. Property division in divorce in China follows a clear framework in the Civil Code, but the real disputes are about the details: who paid for the flat, whether a parent's contribution was a gift or a loan, what a company is worth, and whether assets have been moved. This page explains the rules as of 2026 and how our lawyers and in-house auditor help clients reach a fair result.
Community property and separate property
Community property (Art. 1062)
Unless the spouses have agreed otherwise, the following acquired during the marriage are generally community property (夫妻共同财产):
- wages, bonuses and other remuneration for work
- income from production, business and investment
- income from intellectual property
- property inherited or received as a gift during the marriage, unless the will or gift designates it to one spouse only
- other property that should be jointly owned
Separate property (Art. 1063)
- property owned by one spouse before the marriage
- compensation or damages received by one spouse for personal injury
- property that a will or gift designates to one spouse only
- items for one spouse's personal use
- other property that should belong to one spouse
Marital property agreements
Spouses may agree in writing on how property acquired before or during the marriage is owned (Art. 1065). A valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement generally binds both spouses. International couples may also choose the applicable law for property within legal limits.
Property Division in Divorce in Foshan: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Foshan for property division in divorce?
No. We don't have an office in Foshan; clients there are looked after by our Guangzhou team by video, phone, WeChat or WhatsApp, and we meet locally or attend Foshan courts and registries in person whenever the case requires it.
Do you have an office in Foshan?
No. Foshan clients are served by our Guangzhou office in Tianhe and by video. Our lawyers travel to Foshan for meetings and hearings when that is useful.
My parents helped pay for our Foshan home. Will my spouse get half?
Not necessarily. The answer depends on when the money was paid, whether it was a gift to you alone or to both of you, whose name is on the title, and any written agreement. Interpretation II (effective 1 February 2025) gives courts more guidance here, and courts can weigh the parents' contribution when dividing the home.
Is property split 50/50 in a divorce in China?
Not automatically. Community property is divided by agreement, or by the court taking into account the interests of the children, the wife and the no-fault party. Equal division is a common starting point, but fault, concealment of assets and other circumstances can change the result.
Who gets the house in a divorce in China?
It depends on when and how it was bought, who paid, whose name is on the title and any agreement. A house bought during the marriage is generally community property. Parents' contributions are treated according to the facts, with further guidance in Interpretation II effective 1 February 2025.
Is my pre-marital property protected in a Chinese divorce?
Pre-marital property is generally separate property. However, income or increases in value during the marriage, and mortgage payments made with marital funds, may give the other spouse a claim. A written agreement helps avoid disputes.
What happens if my spouse hides assets during divorce?
A spouse who conceals, transfers or destroys community property, or fabricates debts, may receive a smaller share or none. You can ask the court for property preservation and investigation orders, and hidden assets discovered after divorce can be claimed later.
Related guides
China Divorce Law: A Complete Guide (2026)
Everything you need to know about divorce law in China as of 2026: the two divorce routes, grounds, whether China has no-fault divorce or alimony, custody, child support, property, foreign-related cases, costs and timelines.
Read the guideHow Property Is Divided in a Chinese Divorce
How is property divided in a Chinese divorce? A clear guide to community versus separate property, how courts split assets, the family home, debts, and when one spouse can get more.
Read the guideDivorce When You Own a Business in China: Company Shares and Valuation
How Chinese courts treat company shares in a divorce: when equity is community property, how businesses are valued, and why the non-owner spouse usually receives cash rather than shares.
Read the guide