Splitsville

China is re-interpreting their divorce laws and it’s looking pretty good for the ex-husband.

China’s top court recently changed the country’s divorce law saying that the spouse who bought the house before the marriage has the right to keep it after a split. In the past the property was usually divided between the two sides but the court says it is fair for each party to get back what they owned before the marriage but some people, specifically women disagree.

Women say the new law favors men who traditionally buy the house in China, usually before they marry. This is because men who don’t own a house are not seen as a desirable partner. Most parents even start a house fund for their child as soon as they know it is a boy. Now a lot of wives are trying to add their names to housing contracts so they will have a fighting chance should the marriage fall apart.

And they have reason to worry. It used to be rare but now about 5,000 Chinese couples file for divorce each day. Maybe now that number will drop, having a roof over your head might be reason enough to grin and bear it.