A new law in China that makes it harder for couples to divorce has sent husbands and wives rushing to file applications to dissolve their marriages.
Under the law, which was implemented on January 1 after being passed by the National People’s Congress last year, couples who mutually agree to dissolve their marriage must complete a month-long “cooling-off” period to reconsider their positions. After the 30 days have passed, couples can go to their local civil affairs bureau to apply a second time for their official divorce documents.
Divorce lawyers have been inundated with requests from couples to file for divorce once their 30 days are up.
In some cities such as Guangzhou, in Guangdong province, the demand for consultations with divorce lawyers is so high that scalpers are charging premium prices online to help couples secure appointments.
Zhong Wen, a lawyer based in Sichuan province who specialises in divorce, says he has already received numerous phone calls from anxious clients concerned that the new law complicates their divorce and compromises their freedom to split.
If one party withdraws from the agreement to divorce before the 30 days are up, the application is cancelled, leaving the other party to apply again and restart the 30-day clock, or to sue for a divorce – a costly and lengthy process.