‘RHOA’ Star Kelli Ferrell Sued by Navy Federal and Landlord Over $26,434.86
‘RHOA’ Star Kelli Ferrell Sued by Navy Federal and Landlord Over $26,434.86
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kelli Ferrell is facing legal trouble on two financial fronts. Navy Federal Credit Union filed a lawsuit against Ferrell on May 5, claiming she owes $26,434.86.
The lawsuit alleges that Ferrell “has failed, neglected and refused to make payment upon the account,” despite demands from the credit union. The financial institution is seeking the full unpaid balance in addition to attorney fees.
Kelli’s representative responded to the claim, telling Us, “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]. Due to her ex-husband currently being in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings, we cannot comment on this matter.”
Chuvalo’s spokesperson issued a separate statement, telling Us, “[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. He has no knowledge of any loans or transactions initiated by [Kelli] after his removal from those accounts.”
They added, “The current legal dispute between Navy Federal Credit Union and Ms. Kelli A. Ferrell is strictly between those two parties. [Chuvalo] is not named in the lawsuit and has had no involvement in the matter.”
“We find it deeply troubling that [Chuvalo’s] name continues to be invoked in matters to which he has no connection. This pattern of blame-shifting — three years post-separation and divorce — appears designed to divert public scrutiny from Ms. Ferrell’s financial difficulties,” the rep stated.
Landlord Sues Over Restaurant Lease
In a separate legal filing, Ferrell was sued in April by her commercial landlord over alleged unpaid rent for her restaurant, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles. The property, located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, is under a lease that began in January 2024 and is set to run through 2029.
The landlord accused Ferrell of breaching the lease agreement by failing to obtain required permits and not fulfilling rent obligations. Legal documents claim Ferrell was notified of her default multiple times between August 2024 and March 2025.
The suit seeks $101,000 in back rent and additional fees, as well as $13,000 in future rent and attorney costs.
Kelli Responds to Restaurant Lawsuit
Kelli’s representative disputed the claims in a statement to In Touch. “This is in regard to her second [restaurant] location, which is underway. Although Kelli’s divorce has been finalized, there is still a lot of gray area left, especially with finances.”
Ferrell claimed that she had yet to be paid money owed in the divorce judgment. At the time, the rep said the issues with the divorce, along with $160k Kelli had to pay to her divorce attorney, left her in a “small financial stomp with opening the new location.”
“However, this situation is currently being sorted out with the landlords of the new location and Nana’s in Sandy Springs will be open by this Summer,” the rep added. “Kelli has been a successful entrepreneur for over eight years, but this divorce is extremely contentious and has caused issues.”
Kelli’s rep confirmed to Us that the lawsuit over the unpaid rent has been resolved. “That has been settled and Nana’s Chicken & Waffles in Sandy Springs is slated to open next month,” the rep said.
Custody and Support Disputes
Kelli and her ex-husband have been in and out of court since she filed for divorce in 2022. Kelli, who wed her ex in 2011, demanded sole custody of their three children. Chuvalo opposed the request and asked the court to award him joint custody.
In the end, Kelli, who joined RHOA in season 16, was granted primary custody. Her ex was ordered to pay $3,991 per month in child support. The exes were also instructed to split the proceeds of the sale of their former home.
In February, Chuvalo filed a petition to reduce his monthly support payments. He claimed the original support amount was based on his prior income of $19,847 per month. “[Chuvalo] is no longer working for the family business that was granted to [Kelli] and his income has been substantially reduced,” his lawyer stated.
The case was dismissed by Chuvalo before Kelli had the chance to respond.
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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.