Kelli Ferrell, who recently joined Season 16 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” is already finding herself in hot water and not just from the on-camera drama. The entrepreneur and TV newcomer is facing two major legal battles over unpaid debts, with one lawsuit tied back to her ex-husband.
Newly unearthed court docs reveal that Navy Federal Credit Union filed a complaint on May 5th, alleging that Ferrell owes $26,434.86. The credit union says Ferrell “has failed, neglected, and refused to make payment” and is demanding the full amount plus attorney fees.
But Ferrell’s rep says she hasn’t been officially served.
“Kelli has not been served with any paperwork from Navy Federal Credit Union, which is an account that was shared with her now ex-husband, Chuvalo Mark Ferrell,” the rep said, pointing to ongoing financial entanglements due to her ex’s bankruptcy.
Chuvalo’s team isn’t having it.
“[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 rep stated. “He has no knowledge of any loans or transactions initiated by Kelli after his removal.”
That’s not all. Back in April, Ferrell was sued over an alleged $101,000 in unpaid rent related to her second location of Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The landlord accused her of breaching the lease by failing to pay and not securing permits.
Kelli’s team chalked it up to post-divorce complications, saying, “Although Kelli’s divorce has been finalized, there is still a lot of gray area left, especially with finances.” They claimed she’s still owed money from the divorce and noted a $160,000 payout to her attorney left her in a “small financial stomp.”
Thankfully, the rent lawsuit has been resolved.
“That has been settled, and Nana’s Chicken & Waffles in Sandy Springs is slated to open next month,” her rep confirmed.
Ferrell filed for divorce in 2022 after marrying Chuvalo in 2011. The two fought over custody of their three children. Kelli walked away with primary custody and $3,991 per month in child support. The couple was also ordered to split the proceeds from selling their former home.
As for Chuvalo, he tried to lower his child support payments earlier this year, saying his income had dropped significantly since leaving the family business. That case was dismissed before Ferrell could even respond.
With lawsuits piling up and a restaurant to open, Kelli Ferrell’s off-screen storyline is just as fiery as anything you’ll see on Bravo.
