Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kelli Ferrell is fighting her ex-husband, Chuvalo Ferrell, in federal court over an alleged $700,000 owed, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by Us, Kelli, 40, asked that the court not approve the repayment plan proposed by Chuvalo.
She said the plan was submitted in “bad faith.” The Bravo star claimed her ex put the wrong address on his paperwork. Kelli said the address was a UPS store.
She claimed he had “intentionally attempted to deceive the creditors” including her. “[Chuavlo] does not reside at a UPS mailing address but instead is living free of charge at the residence of his friend,” she alleged.
She said the repayment plan failed to disclose certain judgments Chuvalo allegedly owes Kelli. She said he was ordered to pay $770,000 in a lawsuit over a Chicken-N-Waffles restaurant they ran while married.
The RHOA star also accused her ex-husband of being delinquent on child support payments due after he filed for bankruptcy. She said he had failed to make any child support payment since January.
Kelli Ferrell Prince Williams/WireImage
In her filing, Kelli also believed her ex had understated his gross monthly income of $8,616. She said his monthly income was listed as $19,847 at their divorce trial.
“Clearly, [Chuvalo] is attempting to hide how much money he makes so he would not have to repay as much of his debts, and the [Chuvalo’s] proposed Plan payments does not apply the entirety of his income is left over after necessary living expenses and other financial obligations,” Kelli’s lawyer argued. “Furthermore, [Chuvalo] clearly overstated his monthly living expenses and thereby depressing his available disposable income that is available to repay his debts.” The court has yet to rule on Kelli’s request.
A rep for Chuvalo tells Us, “[Chuvalo] has complied fully with all court requirements under federal bankruptcy law.”
Kim Zolciak-Biermann and estranged husband Kroy Biermann faced legal drama — and possible foreclosure — ahead of their 2023 split. Us Weekly confirmed in February 2023 that the Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and her then-spouse’s Georgia mansion was in foreclosure, after Zolciak-Biermann denied in November 2022 that she was having legal trouble. Zolciak-Biermann and […]
They noted, “the court accepted his conversion to Chapter 7 bankruptcy — an option available to individuals facing legitimate financial hardship, as [Chuavlo] has, following the court-ordered transfer of his business, his home, and his primary income source.”
The rep said that while Chuvalo continued to “take accountability for his obligations his ability to meet those obligations has been severely hindered by actions taken during and after the divorce.” He claims $74,000 from the of sale of their home was wrongfully withheld.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta has said goodbye to many cast members since its Bravo debut in 2008 — but there’s always a chance they could return. For instance, original RHOA star NeNe Leakes left the show in season 7 before rejoining the cast in 2018. “It’s been a long process but we’ve finally reached […]
The rep claimed the funds could have been applied to outstanding child support but were “held for over a year and only recently sent to the court, where they remain in escrow.”
Chuvalo’s rep claimed her client had offered to pay half of the $74k in the account to Kelli to resolve back child support.
“She refused the offer. We believe this refusal is strategic, designed to preserve a storyline rather than resolve real issues. [Kelli] has disregarded the divorce decree and remains in contempt of the visitation order,” the rep alleged.
In regard to the alleged $770k judgment, the rep said it is “simply not valid” and Chuvalo is “taking the appropriate steps to rectify that matter as well as the clear bias within the judiciary.” He claimed he was not credited for certain payments made.
“It is deeply troubling that, instead of seeking resolution through appropriate legal channels, [Kelli] continues to publicly attack [Chuavlo] — routinely omitting key facts — seemingly to support a public narrative rather than pursue genuine resolution,” the rep said.
Kelli Ferrell Paras Griffin/Getty Images
The rep added that Chuavlo said he remains in regular contact with his kids and continue to support them “in every way he can.”
In response to Chuvalo’s rep, Kelli’s rep told Us, “The court has mandated and stamped the relevant orders. Chuvalo is required to pay the money he owes, including outstanding child support. The $74,000 he references remains in the court’s escrow account until all owed parties are rightfully paid.”
“There is no storyline here — only facts. The divorce is final. Had Chuvalo fulfilled his legal obligations, this matter would have been resolved a long ago. We remain committed to moving on — if only he would allow it,” the rep said. “Kelli is focused on raising her daughters and building a peaceful future,” the rep added.
Chuvalo filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy on January 31. He listed assets totaling $214,198 and liabilities in the amount of $383,231.
He said his monthly income was $8,616 and his monthly expenses came out to $8,204.67. Chuvalo said he owed $17,700 in domestic support obligations.
A tough road. Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Kroy Biermann were dealing with “financial issues” before their split that led to the end of their marriage, an insider exclusively tells Us Weekly. “The financial burdens have been a strain on their relationship,” the source says of the Real Housewives of Atlanta alum, 44, and the former NFL […]
His petition listed his assets as a 2021 Mercedes Metris van worth $42,000, a 2023 BMW worth $90,200 and a 2017 Nissan worth $4,200. Other assets included $2,000 in household goods, $500 in electronics, $800 in clothes and various other items.
Chuvalo said he had no money in his wallet or at home. He listed a retirement account with zero dollars. He said $75,000 was being held in an account by Kelli’s attorney.
His liabilities included $57,614 owed on the Mercedes, over $90k on the BMW and another $3,800 on the Nissan.
Chuvalo said creditors with unsecured claims include the IRS, the Georgia Child Support Department and the Georgia Department of Revenue. He also listed Kelli as a creditor owed $17,700 in support payments.
Other liabilities included $11,000 to Amex, an unspecified amount to Capital One, $8,000 to a third party company, over $15,000 to Discover Bank, another $60,000 in credit card debt owed to Navy Federal Credit Union and various other debts.
At the time of his filing, Chuvalo was employed as a manager of a chicken and waffles restaurant in Conyers, Georgia. He had been working there for four months.
He pulls in $5,416 a month from his job and receives another $3,200 in family contributions. His monthly bills include $2,386 in rent, $388 on telephone, $490 on food and housekeeping supplies and others.
As Us first reported, Kelli was recently sued over an alleged five-figure debt.
