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 property division in divorce 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.
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 Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for property division in divorce?
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.
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