The Kim Kardashian-Kris Humphries annulment case has been quiet of late, but things are reportedly about to heat up.

Word is that the NBA player is considering a lawsuit against Kris Jenner and Bunim/Murray Productions, the company that produces the Kardashian reality shows. As you may recall, prior to Kim and Kris walking down the aisle, Jenner moved to control her future 72-day-son-in-law by assuming the role of his talent manager. Humphries did not give this move as much thought as he should have, either, as the journeyman had already amassed an incredible fortune with the guidance of his businessman dad, William Humphries, serving as more a business manager than a talent manager for his son.

As Kris Humphries' manager, Jenner brokered club appearances and minor marketing deals for him. More significantly, all the deals for Kim and Kris's multi-million wedding were arranged by Jenner, who told "Good Morning America" that "Kim didn't make a dime" off the elaborate marriage ceremony.

Of course, what Jenner should have said is that Humphries didn't make a dime off the wedding, because I hear that compared to what Kim earned, Kris' take looks like dimes.

That's probably because Humphries' future ex-momager was totally looking out for him! (Where is that sarcasm emoticon when I really need it?)

If there's proof that Humphries and Kardashian did not enjoy the same number of dimes from the wedding, that could mean Jenner failed to execute her fiduciary responsibilities to her son-in-law.

Humphries' Minneapolis lawyer, Lee Hutton III, is genuinely looking out for his client. Hutton, who has already assembled a team of LA lawyers to handle Humphries' annulment claim based on fraud, is doing the paperwork to become a temporary attorney in the Superior Court of California.

"We're in the process of filing the pro hac vice papers," Hutton told me Friday.

I'm thinking that status should give Hutton even more cachet as the lead attorney on the case.

Weeks ago I told readers that there's no doubt in my mind that Kim and her momager Kris don't want this case to go to depositions and certainly not trial. They don't want the curtain pulled back so fawning fans can see how they really operate. So every effort is probably being made to get a settlement that hasten Humphries' exit, stage left, from Kim's life.

"We're looking at all available opportunities to put my client into the position he was before he met Kim Kardashian," said Hutton.

That didn't answer my settlement question, but the verbiage is compatible with the concerns that I've heard Humphries' parents have had about their son's reputation being damaged.

Humphries' concern about his image have been a theme in national magazine articles on the demise of the marriage, as has speculation on websites about a night-time Dubai car scene telecast on the show in which Kim expressed doubts about her marriage to her mom.

If it was shot in California after Kim and her mom returned from Dubai, doesn't that kind of support a fraud claim? Or should I say fraud, again as it looks like Kim led Humphries into marriage as a reality TV stunt?

Why Jenner's Kardashians aren't viewed for the slithery whack jobs they are is a puzzlement, since they keep revealing themselves.

The prank on Humphries masterminded by mental lightweights Kourtney and Khloe, who thought they could bond with their newest brother-in law by putting a snake in his bedroom, was another revelation to me.

Jenner's children appear to have been raised to behave as though they are cruel perpetual teenagers instead of self-sufficient adults.

A few rounds in depositions with a Yee Haw, Minn., attorney should accelerate the entry into adulthood for the lot of them.

C.J. is at 612.332.TIPS or cj@startribune.com. E-mailers, please state a subject -- "Hello" doesn't count. Attachments are not opened, so don't even try. More of her attitude can be seen Thursday mornings on FOX 9.