The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kelli Ferrell is no stranger to the spotlight, but her latest legal battles are stealing the show for all the wrong reasons. Court documents exclusively obtained by Us Weekly reveal that the reality TV personality is entangled in a financial mess, facing lawsuits over an alleged five-figure credit card debt and a six-figure restaurant lease dispute. As the drama unfolds, Kelli’s ex-husband, Chuvalo Mark Ferrell, finds himself dragged into the narrative, despite his camp’s firm denial of involvement. Buckle up, because this RHOA saga is serving piping-hot tea!
Navy Federal Credit Union Comes Knocking
On May 5, Navy Federal Credit Union filed a bombshell lawsuit against Kelli, alleging she owes a staggering $26,434.86 on an unpaid account. According to the legal filings, the credit union demanded payment multiple times, but Kelli “failed, neglected, and refused” to settle the debt. The suit doesn’t hold back, seeking the full unpaid balance plus attorney fees to close the matter.
Kelli’s representative, however, tells Us Weekly that the star hasn’t been served with any paperwork from Navy Federal. They claim the account in question was shared with her ex-husband, Chuvalo, who is currently navigating bankruptcy proceedings. “Due to her ex-husband’s financial situation, we cannot comment further,” the rep stated, subtly pointing the finger at Chuvalo’s legal woes.
Chuvalo’s team fired back, vehemently denying any connection to the debt. “Chuvalo was removed from all joint and business accounts, including those with Navy Federal Credit Union and Truist Bank, during the divorce proceedings in 2022,” his representative told Us Weekly. They emphasized that Chuvalo has “no knowledge of any loans or transactions” initiated by Kelli post-divorce and is not named in the lawsuit. The rep didn’t mince words, calling out the “deeply troubling” pattern of dragging Chuvalo’s name into Kelli’s financial troubles. “This blame-shifting, three years post-divorce, seems designed to divert attention from Ms. Ferrell’s financial difficulties,” they added.
Restaurant Woes Pile On the Pressure
Kelli’s legal troubles don’t end with the credit union. Back in April, the RHOA star was hit with another lawsuit, this time over an alleged $101,000 in unpaid rent for her restaurant, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The landlord claims Kelli signed a lease in January 2024, set to run until 2029, but failed to secure required permits and pay rent on time. Court documents allege Kelli was repeatedly notified of her default from August 2024 to March 2025, with the landlord now seeking $101,000 in back rent, plus an additional $13,000 in future rent and attorney fees.
Kelli’s camp pushed back against the claims in a statement to In Touch. They argued the dispute stems from her second restaurant location, which is still in development. “Although Kelli’s divorce has been finalized, there’s still a lot of gray area, especially with finances,” her rep explained. They pointed to unpaid funds from the divorce judgment and a hefty $160,000 divorce attorney bill as reasons for Kelli’s “small financial stomp” while launching the new location. Despite the setbacks, her team remains optimistic, stating, “This situation is being sorted out with the landlords, and Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles in Sandy Springs will open this summer.”
In a recent update to Us Weekly, Kelli’s representative confirmed the restaurant lawsuit has been resolved. “That has been settled, and Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles in Sandy Springs is slated to open next month,” they shared, signaling a potential light at the end of the tunnel for Kelli’s entrepreneurial dreams.
A Divorce That Keeps on Giving… Drama
The root of much of this drama traces back to Kelli’s contentious 2022 divorce from Chuvalo, whom she married in 2011. The split has been anything but amicable, with the exes battling it out in court over custody, finances, and more. Kelli, who joined RHOA in its 16th season, initially demanded sole custody of their three children, while Chuvalo pushed for joint custody. Ultimately, Kelli secured primary custody, with Chuvalo ordered to pay $3,991 monthly in child support. The couple also split proceeds from the sale of their former home, with Kelli pocketing $175,000 and Chuvalo receiving $90,000.
The financial disputes didn’t end there. In February, Chuvalo filed a petition to reduce his child support payments, citing a “substantial change” in his income. His attorney noted that Chuvalo no longer works for the family business awarded to Kelli during the divorce, drastically reducing his monthly earnings from $19,847. However, Chuvalo dismissed the case before Kelli could respond, leaving yet another chapter of their saga unresolved.
Kelli’s Star Power vs. Financial Struggles
As a rising star on RHOA and a seasoned entrepreneur with over eight years of success, Kelli Ferrell is no stranger to navigating challenges. But with mounting lawsuits, a contentious divorce, and public scrutiny, her financial troubles are casting a shadow over her reality TV glow. Will Kelli bounce back with the opening of Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, or will these legal battles continue to fuel the RHOA drama machine? One thing’s for sure—this housewife’s story is far from over.