Dispute over Matrimonial Property Agreement: Whether Oral Property Agreements Have Legal Effect
Source:Judicial Case Research Institute
Author:First Civil Division of the Supreme People's Court
Release Time:2026-07-22
Fang and Wu orally agreed at marriage that each would own their own property, but did not sign a written agreement. Upon divorce, a dispute arose over property division. The court held that only an oral agreement existed without written form, which did not meet the Civil Code requirements, and divided the property according to the statutory property system.