How we work with clients in Guangzhou
Our Guangzhou office in Tianhe helps foreign residents, international traders and their families, and overseas Chinese with family ties in Guangdong through divorce, custody, property and inheritance matters. We also serve clients in Foshan and Zhuhai from here.
Family law in GuangzhouWhich court handles it in Guangzhou?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic (district) people's court where the defendant is domiciled — for example the courts of Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu, Liwan, Baiyun or Panyu districts. If the defendant does not live in 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 Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals from the district courts.
How child support works with us in Guangzhou
- 1
Confidential first call
A free 30-minute consultation (at our Guangzhou office or by video) 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 Guangzhou.
- 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 Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for child support?
No. Many clients meet us at our Guangzhou office, but most of the work can be done by video, phone, email, WeChat or WhatsApp — including for clients living outside China. Court hearings and some registry steps may still require attendance, and we tell you early exactly when that is.
Do I need to come to your Guangzhou office in person?
No. You are welcome in Tianhe, but many clients work with us entirely by video, email, WeChat or WhatsApp. For most court matters a notarised and apostilled power of attorney lets us act on your behalf. Registry divorces are the main exception — both spouses must attend.
My spouse and I married outside China. Can we divorce at a Guangzhou registry?
Generally not. Registry divorce usually requires the marriage to have been registered in mainland China. Couples who married abroad normally need to divorce through the court — even if they agree on everything, the court can confirm their agreement by mediation.
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