When Reality Meets Reality: Kelli Ferrell Hires Costar Phaedra Parks to Battle Ex Husband Mark Ferrell in $200 Million Legal War Over RHOA and Their Children

Phaedra Parks is officially back in the courtroom. This time it’s not just for show. The Real Housewives of Atlanta legal eagle has dusted off her law degree. She’s putting it to work for her Season 16 costar Kelli Ferrell.

Kelli is in the fight of her life. Her ex husband Chuvalo “Mark” Ferrell is on the other side. What started as a bitter divorce has exploded into a full blown legal war. The battle involves custody fights, $200 million lawsuits, and allegations of abuse and theft. Bravo got caught directly in the crossfire.

When we said RHOA Season 16 was going to be messy, we had no idea it would get THIS real. This isn’t manufactured drama for the cameras. These are actual courtroom battles with actual lawyers. Phaedra Parks, the 51 year old attorney who became famous for being a Housewife, now uses her legal expertise to defend another Housewife. This might be the most meta reality TV moment of 2025.

Buckle up. This story has more twists than a Kenya Moore wig line. And it’s all 100% verified tea.

The Emergency Petition That Started It All

Kelli Ferrell filed an emergency petition on October 2, 2025. Court documents were exclusively obtained by Us Weekly. Phaedra Parks appears as her attorney.

The issue? Kelli claims her ex husband Mark has interfered with their children’s ability to film The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She needs the court to clarify her rights. She has primary custody.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Kelli, 40, won primary physical custody of their three minor children. The final judgment entered into their divorce on September 23, 2024. The children are Chance Ferrell, born in 2012, and twins Chasiti Ferrell and Chelsi Ferrell, born in 2015. Kelli also has an older daughter, Chloe, from a previous relationship. She’s a mom of four total.

Kelli’s Custody Rights and Filming Decision

The custody agreement granted Kelli what she describes as “absolute final decision making authority.” This covers the children’s education, certain healthcare, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities. According to Kelli, reality TV filming counts as an extracurricular activity.

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Kelli stated in her court filing.

She went further. She claimed that Bravo and NBC Universal asked the court to confirm her right to film with the children. They wanted confirmation before continuing to include them in production.

“I believe participating is in my children’s best interest,” Kelli noted. She said the “memory would be lost” if cameras couldn’t capture her daughter’s dance performance.

It’s a bold argument. Filming your life for millions of viewers is actually GOOD for your kids. It preserves memories. Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore have entered the chat.

But Mark Ferrell and his legal team are NOT having it. Not even a little bit.

Mark Ferrell Fires Back With His Own Legal Team

Mark’s attorney, Latoya Francis Williams, came out swinging. She responded to Kelli’s emergency petition. And she didn’t hold back.

“After reviewing Ms. Potter Ferrell’s emergency filing, it is clear the filing is both procedurally improper and legally unfounded under Georgia law,” Francis Williams told Us Weekly.

She continued: “Georgia law strictly prohibits using emergency motions to rewrite final custody terms without a proper petition and proof of a material change in circumstances. What’s most troubling is the timing and intent.”

Francis Williams emphasized that Mark never consented to his children appearing on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. As their father, he has every right to protect their privacy and emotional well-being.

Allegations of Judicial Bias

Here’s where the plot thickens even more. Francis Williams made a stunning allegation about judicial bias.

“Equally concerning is the decision to return this case to the same judge who previously stripped Mr. Ferrell of his home, business, vehicles, and primary income source without due process,” she stated.

She added: “Given that an intent to sue court officials has already been filed, this raises significant questions about fairness, bias, and judicial propriety.”

Translation? Mark believes the court system has stacked the deck against him from the beginning. He’s planning to sue the judges themselves.

The Amended Petition

The response from Mark’s legal team was effective. A few days after filing the emergency petition, Kelli and Phaedra amended their petition. They removed the request for an emergency hearing. However, they’re still moving forward with the case.

Both sides will appear in court on November 7, 2025.

The $200 Million Lawsuit Against Bravo

If you think the custody battle is messy, wait until you hear about Mark Ferrell’s lawsuit against Bravo. Court documents were obtained by the Daily Mail. Mark is suing the network for a staggering $200 million over his portrayal on RHOA Season 16.

Mark claims that Kelli was involved in a “fabricated storyline” on the show. She made multiple false claims about his behavior and financial dealings. He alleges that Kelli falsely claimed on camera that Mark was abusive toward her. His attorneys say these statements are completely untrue.

Mark’s Dramatic Press Conference

On September 2, 2025, Mark held a dramatic press conference. He stood on the steps of the Rockdale County Courthouse in Georgia. His attorneys and his father stood alongside him. He announced plans to file lawsuits for defamation, malicious prosecution, and civil rights violations. The suits target both Bravo and Rockdale County court officials.

“This is not just one man’s fight, it’s a case that raises national questions about judicial accountability, abuse of power, racial bias in family courts, and the influence of entertainment media on legal proceedings,” the news release from Mark’s team stated.

Mark’s Allegations of Misconduct

Mark accused court officials and Bravo of “misconduct.” He claims that the 2022 divorce proceedings were marked by “judicial misconduct and abuse of power.”

He alleges that despite presenting documents showing his co ownership of Nana’s Chicken N Waffles, the court accepted Kelli’s claim of sole ownership. This effectively stripped him of his business rights.

He also claims he was wrongfully incarcerated for a debt he had already paid in full. “This aftermath of this divorce and the lies aired on the show stole his livelihood and his children’s futures,” according to local Atlanta news reports.

The Restaurant Rivalry

Mark owns Uncle Butch’s Chicken N Waffles in Conyers, Georgia. It’s a direct competitor to Kelli’s Nana’s Chicken N Waffles locations in McDonough and Sandy Springs. The business rivalry adds yet another layer to their already complicated relationship.

What Kelli Said On The Show

So what exactly did Kelli say on RHOA Season 16 that has Mark so upset? Well, she didn’t hold back.

In an episode that aired earlier this year, Kelli opened up to fellow castmate Brit Eady. She discussed the demise of her marriage.

“It was cheating. He took almost $500,000 out of the company’s money,” Kelli told Brit. She referred to their restaurant business.

Kelli claimed that Mark cleared out the bank account for Nana’s Chicken and Waffles. This led her to file a lawsuit against him. She left their marital home out of fear for her safety. She told Brit that leaving resulted in a “physical” altercation between her and Mark.

Kelli’s Confessional Revelations

“Honestly, I probably should have an Oscar for as much as I made my marriage or my family look like it was all together,” Kelli said in a confessional interview.

She continued: “From me sleeping in my closet some nights, police being called numerous times. It became the house of hell.”

In an interview with People magazine in May 2025, Kelli made it clear she didn’t care what Mark thought. She discussed their marriage on national television. She confirmed that she and Mark are no longer in contact. She “wouldn’t know” what he thought about her airing their dirty laundry on Bravo.

“If someone doesn’t want to hear those things,” Kelli said, “then maybe I should have been treated a lot better.”

Mark’s Side of the Story

But Mark Ferrell has a completely different version of events. His $200 million lawsuit tells a story that contradicts nearly everything Kelli said on camera.

According to Mark, he co owned Nana’s Chicken N Waffles with Kelli. When the restaurant faced financial trouble, Kelli took out a loan in his name without his consent. He claims he was forced to pay back this loan. This is where that $500,000 figure comes from.

To cover up her actions, Mark alleges that Kelli falsely accused him of taking the money from her. He insists he repaid the loan in full. He says Kelli has continued spreading misinformation. She claims he took the money without her consent.

The Divorce Timeline

The couple married in 2011. They welcomed three children before finalizing their divorce in September 2024. The divorce proceedings were apparently so contentious that it took over two years to reach a resolution.

Court documents from their 2023 custody negotiations show what each party wanted. Kelli wanted full custody of the children along with child support and attorney fees. Mark wanted joint custody. He wasn’t willing to provide child support. He argued that both of them had established income streams.

The Custody Compromise

Eventually they reached a compromise. Kelli received primary physical custody. But Mark still maintained custody rights. He was ordered to pay child support. Additionally, Mark was required to return $420,000 to Kelli. This was part of their legal battle over their restaurant, house, and businesses.

But the drama didn’t end there. In January 2024, it was revealed that Mark hadn’t paid his court ordered child support. He was actually taken into custody over the issue. The situation was eventually resolved. But it added another chapter to their already bitter split.

Enter Phaedra Parks: From Housewife to Legal Representative

This is where Phaedra Parks makes her grand entrance. Could there be a more perfect casting for this real life legal drama?

Phaedra, 51, is a licensed attorney. She practiced law long before she became a Bravo celebrity. She’s represented clients in entertainment law, civil litigation, and yes, family law matters.

After leaving RHOA following Season 9 in 2017, Phaedra joined The Real Housewives of Dubai. She recently returned to RHOA for Season 16.

Phaedra’s Legal Credentials

Phaedra has been building her legal practice. She’s apparently good enough at it that Kelli felt comfortable hiring her for this high stakes custody battle.

The court documents reviewed by Us Weekly clearly show Phaedra Parks listed as Kelli’s attorney of record. This isn’t just Phaedra offering friendly advice over lunch at a cast event. She’s officially representing Kelli in court. She’s filing legal motions. She’s going up against Mark’s legal team.

It’s the ultimate crossover. A reality TV star turned real attorney represents another reality TV star. The case is partially about their ability to be on reality TV. Andy Cohen’s head must be spinning.

What Happens Next

On October 13, 2025, Kelli and Phaedra filed an amended petition. They addressed the same issues. They cleaned up whatever legal problems Francis Williams had identified.

The amended petition still seeks to clarify Kelli’s right to include her children in RHOA filming. But it removes the emergency designation. Both sides will now have their day in court on November 7, 2025. A judge will rule on whether Kelli can continue filming with her kids. Or if Mark has the right to block their appearances.

The Stakes Are High

The stakes are incredibly high. For Kelli, much of her RHOA storyline revolves around being a single mother co parenting with a difficult ex. If she can’t show her kids on camera, it significantly limits what producers can film with her.

For Mark, it’s about protecting his children. He sees this as exploitation and defamation by a major television network.

The Neighbor Drama: Because Why Not Add More Chaos?

As if all of this wasn’t enough, Us Weekly also reported additional drama. Kelli and her neighbor were recently involved in a back and forth altercation. It led to police being called. Both Kelli and the neighbor accused the other of being the aggressor in the situation.

At this point, Kelli’s life is basically one continuous legal drama. Between her ex husband, Bravo, the court system, and now her neighbor, she’s got more legal entanglements than Teresa Giudice and Erika Jayne combined.

The RHOA Season 16 Cast and Context

Kelli joined RHOA for Season 16 as one of four new full time cast members. She came alongside Shamea Morton, Brit Eady, and Angela Oakley. She joined returning cast members Porsha Williams, Drew Sidora, and Phaedra Parks.

Kenya Moore was also supposed to return. But she exited early in the season under controversial circumstances. The exit involved revenge porn allegations.

The season has been all about new beginnings and fresh energy for the Atlanta franchise. The show had been struggling in recent years. But nobody expected that the real drama would happen in actual courtrooms with actual lawyers filing actual lawsuits.

Kelli’s Background

Kelli’s official BravoTV.com bio describes her as a restaurateur, celebrity chef, and cookbook author. She grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore. She initially moved to Atlanta to pursue a degree in fashion merchandising and design. But she found her true calling in the culinary world instead.

She’s best known as the co founder of Nana’s Chicken N Waffles. It’s a beloved Atlanta area restaurant with locations in McDonough and Sandy Springs. The restaurant has become her “fifth child,” as she refers to it. Much of her identity is tied up in its success.

This makes the business dispute with Mark all the more painful. This isn’t just about money. It’s about her legacy and the empire she’s built.

What The Fans Are Saying

RHOA fans are absolutely living for this drama. But they’re also genuinely concerned about the children caught in the middle.

“I love Phaedra using her law degree to help Kelli!” one fan tweeted. “This is the kind of sisterhood we need to see.”

Another wrote: “Mark has every right to not want his kids on TV. I don’t care what the custody agreement says. Those kids didn’t ask for this.”

A third fan observed: “The fact that Phaedra is actually practicing law for a costar while filming a reality show about their lives is so meta I can’t even process it.”

Industry Reaction

Reality TV blogger Justin Smith covers the Real Housewives franchise extensively. He noted that this case could set precedent. It could change how custody and filming rights are handled in reality TV going forward.

“We’ve never really seen this tested in court like this,” Smith told Reality Tea. “Usually these things get worked out behind the scenes. But Mark is taking this all the way.”

The Bottom Line

So where does all of this leave us? Kelli Ferrell has hired Phaedra Parks to represent her in court against her ex husband Mark Ferrell. Mark is suing Bravo for $200 million. He’s also fighting to keep his kids off camera.

The case will be heard on November 7, 2025. Whatever the judge decides could have major implications. It affects not just Kelli’s ability to continue on RHOA. It could change how reality TV handles children of cast members going forward.

Mark believes he’s a victim. He says a corrupt court system and a television network destroyed his reputation for ratings. Kelli believes she’s a survivor of an abusive marriage. She has every right to tell her story and make decisions for her children.

The truth, as always, probably lies somewhere in between.

What We Know For Sure

Phaedra Parks is back in the courtroom. Kelli Ferrell is fighting for her right to stay on RHOA with her kids. Mark Ferrell is coming for everyone with $200 million in lawsuits.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has always blurred the line between reality and entertainment. But Season 16 has completely erased it. This is real life. Real court. Real lawyers. Real stakes. And we’ll all be watching to see how it plays out.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta streams on Peacock and airs Sundays on Bravo. Court is in session November 7, 2025.