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.
Marriage & divorce registry in Guangzhou
Marriage and agreed-divorce registration is handled by the marriage registries of the Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau system. Registrations involving a foreign national are handled only at designated registries, with both parties attending in person. The designated office, appointment arrangements and required documents can change, so check current requirements before you go — we are happy to confirm them for you. Since 10 May 2025, registration is nationwide: where one partner is a mainland resident, you can use any registry authorised for foreign-related matters anywhere in China, not only one in your hukou city, and the Chinese partner needs only a resident ID card and a signed declaration (no hukou booklet).
How contested divorce litigation 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.
Contested divorce in China: how the court process works
When your spouse will not agree to divorce, or you cannot agree on children or property, the only route is the People's Court. A contested divorce in China follows its own logic: the court will try hard to mediate, it looks for evidence that mutual affection has truly broken down, and it may refuse a first petition. Knowing this in advance helps you plan, gather the right evidence and avoid wasted months. This page explains the litigation process as of 2026 and how our litigation team in Shenzhen and Guangzhou approaches it.
When will a court grant a contested divorce?
Under Article 1079 of the Civil Code, the court first mediates. If mediation fails and mutual affection has truly broken down, a divorce shall be granted. The law lists situations that show a breakdown:
- bigamy, or cohabiting with another person
- domestic violence, maltreatment or desertion of a family member
- gambling, drug addiction or similar habits not corrected despite repeated admonition
- separation for two years because of discord
- other circumstances causing a breakdown of mutual affection
A divorce shall also be granted where the other spouse has been declared missing.
Restriction on husbands filing
A husband may not file for divorce while the wife is pregnant, within one year after she gives birth, or within six months after termination of a pregnancy, unless the wife files or the court considers it necessary.
Contested Divorce Litigation in Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for contested divorce litigation?
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.
What happens if my spouse refuses to divorce in China?
You can file a litigation divorce. The court will mediate first and grant a divorce if mediation fails and mutual affection has truly broken down. Without a clear ground a first petition is often refused, but a new petition after a further year of separation shall be granted.
Why do Chinese courts refuse the first divorce petition?
Courts look for proof that mutual affection has truly broken down. Where there is no clear statutory ground such as domestic violence or two years' separation, and the other spouse wants to stay married, courts often refuse the first petition. Practice varies between courts and judges.
How soon can I file again after a divorce is refused?
Generally not within six months of the judgment unless there are new circumstances or new reasons. If the spouses then live apart for one year after the refusal, a new petition shall be granted.
Can I freeze my spouse's assets during a divorce?
Yes. You can apply for property preservation before or during the case, such as freezing bank accounts or restricting transfers of real estate or shares. The court usually requires security, and acting early is important.
Related guides
Contested Divorce in China: What to Expect in Court
What happens in a contested divorce in China: filing, mediation, the hearing, why first petitions are often refused, the six-month and one-year rules, timelines and how to prepare evidence.
Read the guideDivorce in China When Your Spouse Refuses, Won't Respond or Has Disappeared
Your spouse will not agree, ignores the court or cannot be found. You can still get divorced in China through the courts. How refusal, service by publication, the one-year rule and declarations of missing status work.
Read the guideChina 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 guide