Wrongful Death Civil Suit Against Bruce Jenner Being Prepared by Kim Howe's Step-Children for Deadly Car Crash

Bruce Jenner may not be facing any criminal charges in connection with the Feb. 6 deadly car crash that claimed the life of Kim Howe, but as anticipated a wrongful death civil suit is being prepared. What is interesting is that Howe's husband died in 2003 and she leaves behind no blood relatives. It is actually Howe's grown step-children who are reportedly going to file a wrongful death suit in spite of having virtually no relationship with her at all.

According to a new report by TMZ, "We spoke with people who were extremely close to Kim who tell us she had 'virtually no relationship' with either step-child. Nonetheless, we're told both step-children have lawyered up because they're the only remaining people who have a legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In California, step-children have legal standing to sue, even if they were estranged from the step-parent. Sources tell us the lawyer for one of the step-children has already asked his client to find as many pictures and other evidence showing some relationship between himself and Kim ... presumably to help establish damages in the lawsuit," explained an insider.

It seems like a pretty shady cash grab on the family's part, doesn't it? Apparently the step-kids are not set to inherit much, if anything at all, from Howe's estate. She had a trust worth millions set aside for charity and then a chunk of cash on hand that is to be distributed between a few animal charities as well.

Unfortunately, Jenner does appear to be guilty in causing the crash that took Howe's life, and that means he will likely choose to settle this issue out of court, no doubt making her distant relatives pretty wealthy.

Do you think in this situation, the step-kids should have the legal right to file suit, especially since it sounds like they had no relationship with Howe after their father died? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.