How we work with clients in Zhuhai
We help Macau–Zhuhai cross-border couples, Hong Kong residents and foreign families in Zhuhai with divorce, custody, property and inheritance. We have no office in Zhuhai and serve clients from our Guangzhou office and by video, meeting locally when needed.
Family law in ZhuhaiWhich court handles it in Zhuhai?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic (district) people's court where the defendant is domiciled — Zhuhai's districts are Xiangzhou, Doumen and Jinwan. If the defendant lives outside mainland China (for example in Macau or Hong Kong), 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 Zhuhai Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals. We confirm the correct court for addresses in Hengqin and other special areas.
How prenuptial & postnuptial agreements works with us in Zhuhai
- 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 Zhuhai.
- 4
Negotiation, mediation or trial
We represent you throughout and report in English or Chinese at every step, through to enforcement.
Prenuptial agreements in China: clarity before you need it
Nobody plans a marriage around a divorce. But a well-drafted prenuptial agreement in China can protect a family business, a flat bought before the wedding, or savings built up abroad — and, just as importantly, it can prevent years of argument later. Chinese law expressly allows couples to agree in writing how their property will be owned, both before marriage (a prenup, 婚前协议) and during it (a postnup or marital property agreement, 婚内财产约定).
This page explains when a prenuptial agreement in China is valid, what it can and cannot cover, and the extra steps international couples should take.
Is a prenuptial agreement enforceable in China?
Yes, in most cases. Under Article 1065 of the PRC Civil Code, spouses may agree that property acquired during the marriage and property owned before it belongs to each of them separately, to both jointly, or partly separately and partly jointly. The agreement must be in writing and binds both spouses.
Courts generally uphold an agreement that is:
- Written and signed by both parties
- Voluntary — no fraud, coercion or serious misunderstanding
- Consistent with mandatory law and public order
- Clear about which assets it covers and how
Notarisation is not a legal requirement, but it is often helpful. A notarised agreement is harder to challenge on grounds of identity or pressure, and some property registries and banks are more comfortable with it. For more detail, read our article on whether a prenuptial agreement in China is enforceable.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements in Zhuhai: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Zhuhai for prenuptial & postnuptial agreements?
No. We don't have an office in Zhuhai; clients there are looked after by our Guangzhou team by video, phone, WeChat or WhatsApp, and we meet locally or attend Zhuhai courts and registries in person whenever the case requires it.
My spouse works in Macau and I live in Zhuhai. Where should we divorce?
It depends on where each of you is domiciled, where your property is and where the children live. A Zhuhai court can often hear the case if you are domiciled here, but the order may then need to be used in Macau. We look at where the order will need to work before recommending a forum.
Do you have an office in Zhuhai?
No. We serve Zhuhai clients from our Guangzhou office and by video, and travel to Zhuhai for meetings and hearings when needed.
Are prenuptial agreements legally binding in China?
Yes. Article 1065 of the Civil Code allows spouses to agree in writing how pre-marital and marital property is owned, and the agreement binds both of them. It must be voluntary, clear and not contrary to mandatory law.
Does a prenup in China have to be notarised?
No, notarisation is not legally required. However, it makes the agreement harder to challenge and can help when dealing with property registries or banks. For international couples, notarisation can also make the document easier to use abroad.
Can a prenup decide child custody or child support?
Not in a binding way. Chinese courts decide custody and support according to the child's best interests, and a parent cannot waive a child's right to support in advance. You can record intentions, but the court keeps the final say.
Can a foreigner and a Chinese citizen choose foreign law for their prenup?
In many cases, yes. Chinese conflict-of-law rules let spouses choose the law of either spouse's habitual residence or nationality, or the place of major property, for their marital property. Real estate in China will still be registered under Chinese rules, so the drafting must fit both systems.
Related guides
Are Prenuptial Agreements Enforceable in China?
Yes — Chinese law allows couples to agree their own property regime. Learn when a prenuptial agreement is enforceable in China, what it cannot cover and how international couples should draft one.
Read the guideBride Price (彩礼) in China: When Must It Be Returned?
Under the Supreme People's Court rules in force since 1 February 2024, whether a bride price must be returned depends on marriage registration, how long the couple lived together, the amount and local custom. A plain-English guide, including for international couples.
Read the guideChina's 'New Divorce Law' 2025–2026: What Actually Changed (and What Didn't)
Is there a new divorce law in China for 2025 or 2026? No. The cooling-off period dates from 2021. What did change: Interpretation II (1 February 2025) on parents' house money, fake divorce, gifts to third parties, loyalty agreements and custody, plus the May 2025 registration rules.
Read the guide