How we work with clients in Huizhou
We help expat engineers and managers in Huizhou's petrochemical and electronics industries, Hong Kong families with homes in Huizhou, and their spouses with divorce, custody and property matters. We have no office in Huizhou and serve clients from our Shenzhen office and by video, meeting locally when needed.
Family law in HuizhouWhich court handles it in Huizhou?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic people's court where the defendant is domiciled — Huizhou covers Huicheng and Huiyang districts and Boluo, Huidong and Longmen counties, each with its own basic court, and we confirm the right court for addresses in Daya Bay and other development areas. 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 Huizhou Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals.
Marriage & divorce registry in Huizhou
Marriage and agreed-divorce registration is handled by marriage registries under the Huizhou Civil Affairs Bureau. Registrations involving a foreign national can only be handled at a designated registry, and both parties must attend in person. Designated offices, appointment rules and required documents may change, so please check current requirements before going — or ask us to confirm them. 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 Huizhou
- 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 Huizhou.
- 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 Huizhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Huizhou for contested divorce litigation?
No. We don't have an office in Huizhou; clients there are looked after by our Shenzhen team by video, phone, WeChat or WhatsApp, and we meet locally or attend Huizhou courts and registries in person whenever the case requires it.
Do you have an office in Huizhou?
No. We serve Huizhou clients from our Shenzhen office and by video, and our lawyers travel to Huizhou for meetings or hearings when needed.
We are Hong Kong residents with a flat in Huizhou. Which law decides who gets it?
If you divorce in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong court may make orders about the flat, but they will need recognition on the mainland under the 2022 arrangement before the title can be changed. If you divorce in a mainland court, Chinese law applies to the divorce. Either way, changing the title of Huizhou property requires steps on the mainland.
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