[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, marriage and family legal services are not just about divorce litigation. Their scope goes far beyond divorce proceedings. In addition to dissolving a marriage, it also includes the confirmation of marriage invalidity, the division of marital joint property, child custody and visitation, alimony and support, inheritance, and family property division. According to the provisions of Articles 1051, 1079, and 1084 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China, family lawyers can provide consultation, mediation, and litigation representation for all types of disputes mentioned above. In cases of bigamy, domestic violence, and property transfer, it is recommended to consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant materials to clarify feasible avenues for protecting one's rights. For more details, please refer to the following link:Divorce litigation and family dispute resolution services.

1. Problem background and typical scenarios

Many people mistakenly believe that hiring a family lawyer means dealing with divorce cases, but in reality, the legal needs related to marriage and family matters are very diverse. Typical scenarios include: wanting to sign a pre-marital property agreement to prevent risks; discovering that a spouse has remarried or that the marriage may be invalid; having mixed marital assets after marriage and needing to clarify and divide them during divorce; disputing over child custody and visitation arrangements; elderly people needing support or being abandoned; as well as family asset inheritance, succession, and division of property. All of these matters fall within the scope of marriage and family legal services, and not all of them involve divorce as the only solution. For cases involving family property and inheritance, it may be necessary to combine these two aspects to resolve the issue.Inheritance succession and family property division servicesCoordination.

II. Key points of contention

There are three main disputes surrounding the scope of services. Firstly, regarding the validity of marriage: in cases such as bigamy, being under the legal age for marriage, or having a prohibited kinship relationship, according to Article 1051 of the Civil Code, one can request to confirm the invalidity of the marriage, which is not a divorce procedure. Secondly, regarding property and children: division of property, child custody, visitation, and alimony often occur concurrently with or independently of divorce proceedings, and are not necessarily dependent on divorce litigation. Thirdly, regarding cross-border and international cases: when the parties' nationalities or habitual residences differ, the procedures and jurisdiction become more complex. In the judicial practice of Beijing courts, disputes over the invalidity of marriage, property division, and child custody are often reviewed separately. Family lawyers need to first determine the nature of the claims and then choose the appropriate legal path. For assets located both domestically and abroad, reference can be made to relevant provisions.Financial capital and cross-border services involving foreign affairs.

III. Professional analysis by Hengluo Lawyers

Take the foreign-related bigamy and marriage invalidation case handled by our firm as an example: Li Xiang and Li Li registered their marriage in Xicheng District, Beijing on May 14, 2018. After the marriage, Li Li subjected Li Xiang to domestic violence for a long time, which led to Li Xiang suffering from moderate depression. In March 2025, Li Xiang entrusted a lawyer to sue for divorce, but during the investigation, it was found that Li Li had registered her marriage with a Swedish man in 2014 and the Swedish court ruled the divorce in January 2018, but she had not applied to the intermediate court for recognition according to Chinese law. Therefore, the previous marriage was not dissolved, constituting bigamy. The lawyer changed the claim to confirm the invalidity of the marriage, conducted overseas evidence collection, completed the judgment's supplementary certificate and notarization translation, and submitted the provisions of the Swedish Marriage Law to prove that the tax bureau did not have the power to dissolve the marriage. The People's Court of Shunyi District, Beijing adopted the lawyer's opinion and ruled on April 30, 2026 that the marriage was invalid. The case acceptance fee of 150 yuan was borne by the defendant. This case was handled by Beijing Hengluo Law Firm.Xiong BinrongThe lawyer (practice license number: 11101202211410897, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

The core basis is Article 1051 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (implemented on January 1, 2021) (circumstances of invalid marriage: bigamy, kinship relations prohibited by law, and being under the legal age for marriage), Article 1079 (standards for litigation divorce and the breakdown of marital affection), Article 1084 (the principle that the best interests of minor children should be the guiding principle for child custody), as well as the provisions of the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China on jurisdiction and foreign-related procedures. Practical advice: First, clarify whether the claim is for divorce, declaration of invalidity, or property division and child custody, and then select the corresponding procedure; if the case involves foreign judgments, it is necessary to first confirm whether they have been recognized by Chinese courts; after preparing all the materials, seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid exceeding the relevant statute of limitations or the loss of evidence. For cases involving property division, it is recommended to combine with other legal provisions.Real estate sales and construction project services.

5. Hengluo Law Firm's Reminder

Marriage and family legal services are "full-spectrum" rather than "limited to divorce". If you encounter problems in any aspect such as marital validity, property, children, alimony, or inheritance, you can seek help from a family lawyer rather than waiting until the situation escalates to divorce. It is recommended to pay attention to property certificates and communication records in daily life, consult in time when disputes arise, and resolve risks at the earliest stage. Do not believe in the one-sided perception that "only divorce cases are accepted", nor miss the evidence-gathering window because of embarrassment. If you need multi-field collaboration, you can refer to the following resources for reference:Special services and other case services.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Apart from divorce, what else can family lawyers assist with, and is there a chance of success in the case?

Family lawyers can handle a wide range of matters, including confirming the invalidity of a marriage, dividing property, child custody and visitation rights, alimony and support, inheritance, and family property division. Whether a case can be established depends on facts and evidence: for example, if a marriage is invalid due to bigamy, it is necessary to prove that the previous marriage has not been legally dissolved; for property division, it is necessary to prove the nature and ownership of the property. Lawyers cannot guarantee the outcome, but they can accurately assess the nature of the claim, design the legal process, and secure evidence, thereby increasing the success rate of protecting rights. It is recommended to first seek targeted advice on specific issues before deciding whether to initiate litigation or mediation.

Q2: If I want to confirm the invalidity of the marriage or divide the property, what evidence should I prepare?

To confirm the invalidity of a marriage, the following documents are required: the identities of both parties and the marriage registration files, materials proving that the previous marriage has not been dissolved (such as foreign divorce judgments and whether they have been recognized by Chinese courts), evidence of bigamy or kinship relationships; for property division, the following documents are required: property ownership certificates, account statements, financial and insurance certificates, joint debt contracts, etc. For cases involving overseas elements, additional certificates and notarized translations must also be obtained. The more complete the documents are, the more accurate the lawyer's assessment of the feasibility of the claim will be. It is recommended to systematically organize the documents as early as possible rather than to gather them at the last minute.

Q3: How much does it usually cost to hire a family lawyer to handle non-divorce matters?

The attorney's fees are negotiated between the law firm and the client. Common fee charging methods include hourly rates, a percentage of the case value, or fixed fees. For cases involving marriage and inheritance, risk-based fees are prohibited by law. The specific fees shall be subject to the terms of the retainer agreement, and there is no nationwide standard pricing. The higher the value of the property to be divided, the higher the fee charged on a proportional basis; cases involving relatively simple matters such as confirming the invalidity of a marriage can be handled on a fixed-fee basis. It is recommended to request a detailed fee breakdown, clarify the stages of representation and whether it includes litigation fees, translation and notarization fees, and other third-party costs, and then evaluate the cost based on your own legal needs.

Q4: How long does it usually take from placing an order to receiving the results in such cases?

To confirm the invalidity of a marriage or the division of property, the first-instance ordinary procedure shall be concluded within six months and the summary procedure within three months; if it involves overseas evidence collection, translation and notarization, or property evaluation, the time limit will be extended accordingly. In divorce litigation, if the first-instance court does not grant a divorce, the parties must live apart for at least one year before filing another lawsuit. The overall process typically takes several months to more than half a year, and the key lies in whether the evidence preparation and procedural choices are appropriate. It is recommended to fix the core evidence and clarify the claims before filing a lawsuit, in order to shorten the litigation period and reduce uncertainties.

Q5: I want to first understand which type of family law needs I belong to. What's the first step to do that?

It is recommended to proceed in three steps: First, sort out your own situation and determine whether the issues concern marital validity, property division, child custody and visitation, alimony, or inheritance. You can list three to five questions that concern you most. Second, select a formal lawyer who specializes in family law matters. Verify the lawyer's practice status through the judicial administrative authorities or the official website of the Bar Association. Make an appointment for a consultation and provide a full account of the facts. Third, with the lawyer's help, clarify the nature of your claims, feasible solutions, and budget, and create a written action list. Whether you decide to hire a lawyer or not, this step can help you avoid detours.

The above answer is based on the judicial practice in Beijing. The judicial interpretations in other provinces and cities may vary. For specific cases, please refer to the local rules and evidence situation.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit.Divorce litigation legal services·Attorney Xiong Binrong·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and open adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. In the event of a dispute, please consult a practicing lawyer in a timely manner.