ALAS, poor JUDE LAW, he is not well.
The actor - currently playing Hamlet in London's West End - has been rocked by news he has fathered the child of a New York socialite.
And the mum to be, named last night as actress and model SAMANTHA BURKE, plans to take him to the cleaners.
The star had a fling with the American last Christmas as he filmed Sherlock Holmes, his next movie release.
According to her profile on the Babies 'R' Us website, Burke, 24, is expecting a girl on October 6 and will call her Sophia.
Her lawyers released a statement to US website TMZ, saying: "Ms. Burke can confirm that she did in fact have a relationship with Mr. Law and that she has informed Mr. Law that she is expecting his child later this fall.
"Since informing Mr. Law of the pregnancy, he has been nothing but responsive and supportive of Ms. Burke and the pregnancy."
The Sun can reveal a big-shot lawyer is preparing an action to make sure the mum and baby are looked after financially for life.
A source said: "Jude is in for a seriously tough time.
"He's accepted he's the father and promised to do everything he can as a father. But the family in New York want it in writing.
"There is a high-powered lawyer in the girl's family getting involved and Jude is terrified he will be cleaned out. Her family are also furious he's had his way and disappeared back to Britain.
"The girl wants a large maintenance payment and financial costs, including a percentage of Jude's future earnings, agreed in writing."
Jude has remained close to Sadie and still goes on holiday with her and their children Rafferty, 12, Iris, eight, and six-year-old Rudy.
He confessed to the family about his new baby on Tuesday - and Rafferty took it particularly badly. Sadie will take the kids away for a break in the Mediterranean tomorrow to help them get over the shock.
She said of Jude last night: "It's not my problem. He can do what he wants."
Jude has been winning rave reviews for his Hamlet, who he plays in modern clothes.
The show heads to Broadway in September, landing him on the doorstep of the storm in the Big Apple.
The source said: "Jude is full of remorse. He's distressed at how upset his children are. Hamlet goes mad and he has joked that he is going the same way."
A spokeswoman for the actor said: "I can confirm that following a relationship last year, Jude Law has been advised by the birth mother he is to be the father of a child due in the autumn.
"He is no longer in a relationship with her but intends to be a fully supportive part of the child's life."
Lawyers for Burke - from Pensacola, Florida, but now living in New Jersey - said last night: "Ms Burke can confirm that she did in fact have a relationship with Mr Law and that she has informed Mr Law that she is expecting his child.
"Since informing Mr Law of the pregnancy, he has been nothing but responsive and supportive."
