RHOA Star Kelli Ferrell Faces Legal Battle as Ex-Husband Seeks to Reduce Child Support Payments trucc

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kelli Ferrell’s ex-husband, Chuvalo Ferrell, pleaded with a judge to lower his monthly child support payments, In Touch can exclusively report.

Chuvalo filed a petition, obtained by In Touch, on February 2. He explained a final judgment and decree of divorce was issued on September 24, 2024.

As In Touch first reported, Kelli, 40, filed for divorce from Chuavlo in 2022. The exes share three children: Chance, born 2012, and twins, Chasiti and Chelsi, born 2015.

Kelli has an older daughter from a previous relationship. Per their divorce deal, Kelli was awarded primary custody of the kids, and they were to share legal custody. The court ordered Chuavlo to pay $3,991 per month in child support.

The amount was based on Chuvalo’s then-monthly income of $19,847. Kelli was earning around $15,000 per month, according to court documents.

In his newly filed petition, Chuvalo said that since the order was entered, “there has been a substantial change in his income and financial status.”

Chuvalo’s petition read, “Specifically, that he is no longer working for the family business that was granted to [Kelli] and his income has been substantially reduced.”

He pleaded with the court to modify downward his monthly child support payments on a temporary and permanent basis. He said that the change in his income has been entirely “involuntary.”

Kelli has yet to respond.

Back in August 2024, the judge presiding over the exes’ divorce ordered Chuvalo to serve time behind bars until he coughed up $14,889 that Kelli claimed she was owed. Chuvalo was booked into the Rockdale County jail on August 7, 2024. He was released days later after posting bond.

In her divorce petition, Kelli listed the date of marriage as August 20, 2011, and the date of separation as January 2022.

Chuvalo’s rep previously told In Touch, “Mr. Ferrell appreciates the interest in his ongoing personal matters, but he is committed to focusing on his family and professional responsibilities during this challenging time.”

The rep added, “It is important to note that the details surrounding his divorce from Kelli Potter-Ferrell are complex and sensitive. Mr. Ferrell has consistently sought to resolve these issues amicably and in the best interests of all parties involved, particularly their children.”

As In Touch first reported, Kelli was recently dragged to court by her landlord over unpaid rent on her ATL restaurant.

The lawsuit, filed on March 26, accused Kelli of failing to pay $101,140.64 in unpaid rent, interest and late charges.

The landlord said Kelli leased a commercial spot from it for her Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles in Sandy Springs, Georgia, in January 2024.

In the suit, the landlord claims Kelli and Nana’s have breached the terms of the lease “by, amongst other things, failing to obtain required permits, failing to commence tenant improvements, failing to open the premises for business with the public, in addition to failing to pay” rent when due.

The suit read, “Despite receipt of the Notices of Default, neither Nana’s nor Defendant has cured the Monetary Default or the Non-Monetary Defaults.”

The landlord said Kelli has failed to comply with her obligations under the lease. “As of March 25, 2025, Nana’s remains in possession of the premises and the lease has not been terminated in any writing,” the suit read.