Legal experts have said that if Lara Bingle and cricketer Michael Clarke are to separate then they will be treated as if they had been a married couple. New laws introduced in March 2009 mean that de facto couples now come under the federal Family Law Act. This means that in theory Bingle could lay claim to half of Clarke’s fortune. The Australian cricket vice-captain owns four properties in his own name including a $6 million Bondi Beach apartment.
Michael Taussig QC, who is a family law expert, said that the pair who have been engaged for two years are almost the same as a married couple in the eyes of the law. He did however point out that it was highly unlikely that a separation would see Bingle walk away with half. To claim a substantial chunk of Clarke’s assets Bingle would have to prove that she contributed significantly to the pair’s lifestyle.
Clarke is expected to make an announcement about how he intends to move forward imminently. He has also allegedly been told that he has until the weekend to decide whether he intends to return to Test Cricket. Clarke’s and Bingle’s relationship has hit crisis point after a nude photograph of the model, taken by former lover Brendan Fevola, was published. The fact that Bingle decided to speak to a woman’s magazine has also upset Clarke. New revelations that Bingle knew Fevola was married before the pair had an affair in 2006 are likely to do little to help the situation.