12/11/2025
Breaking News🚨
China just changed divorce law , China has introduced a major reform to its divorce and property laws through a new judicial interpretation of the Civil Code.
The change redefines how marital assets are divided, emphasizing contribution, ownership, and title registration rather than automatic equal division.
Under the new rule, assets acquired before marriage, or bought solely by one spouse (or that spouse’s parents), are generally considered individual property—even if both names appear on the title.
Only assets jointly acquired during marriage can be divided, and courts will now assess who paid for or contributed to them. Spouses must also declare all marital property, and concealing or transferring assets can lead to losing one’s share.
Supporters argue this reform protects individuals—especially men—from losing property they earned independently before marriage, addressing long-standing concerns about unfair settlements that left many bankrupt after divorce. The law is seen as a push for clearer financial accountability and ownership.
However, critics, including women’s rights advocates, warn the changes could disadvantage spouses (often women) who make non-financial contributions such as homemaking or childcare, which are harder to document. Studies, including one from Yale, show similar legal shifts in the past reduced women’s financial security and wellbeing.
While some social media claims that “wives can’t get anything” are exaggerated, the law does narrow what qualifies as marital property and strengthens the role of documentation. Enforcement may vary across regions, but overall, China’s courts are moving toward a stricter, contribution-based property system.
In short, the new policy reflects China’s broader effort to stabilize family structures, curb rising divorce rates, and clarify property rights—balancing fairness with accountability, though not without controversy over its gender impact.