Phaedra Parks Steps In To Defend Kandi Burruss' Custody Battle Over Filming Children
Attorney Phaedra Parks has been enlisted to provide legal assistance to her fellow Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member, Kelli Ferrell, in an ongoing court matter.
On October 2, Ferrell submitted an urgent legal request, asserting that her former spouse, Chuvalo Ferrell, had purportedly obstructed their children's participation in filming RHOA, an exclusive revelation by Us Weekly. The reality television personality stated that a final divorce decree issued on September 23, 2024, granted her primary physical custody of their three young children: Chance Ferrell, born in 2012, and twin daughters Chasiti Ferrell and Chelsi Ferrell, both born in 2015.
Kelli, age 40, asserted that she was given the power to decide on matters concerning her children’s schooling, specific health treatments, spiritual development, and out-of-school pursuits. The reality personality characterized this as possessing the “ultimate and undisputed decision-making authority” regarding their extracurricular involvements.
Within her submitted documents, Kelli stated that she had permitted their offspring to appear on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. “[Chuvalo] has expressed his opposition, leading to uncertainty and compelling the network to seek legal confirmation before resuming filming with the children,” the court papers detailed.
She alleged that her former partner had issued threats of “legal action against the broadcasting company.”
Kelli mentioned that the production schedule had been “instantly affected.” She explained that the program’s producers intended to capture footage of her daughter’s homecoming event but were uncertain about the next steps.
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“For me, as a parent, my children constitute a major element of my narrative. Consequently, I agreed to their involvement in The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 17,” she declared. Kelli asserted that Bravo and NBC requested a court directive affirming Kelli’s right to film before they would proceed with the children’s inclusion in the series.
“I am convinced that their participation serves my children’s best interests,” Kelli remarked. She stated that the “moment would be forever gone” if the film crew could not record her daughter’s dance. Legal filings indicated that Parks, aged 51, a practicing lawyer, is lending her support to Kelli in this judicial affair.
According to local media, Chuvalo convened a press briefing on September 2, during which he accused judicial personnel and Bravo of “improper conduct.” He announced his intention to initiate legal proceedings concerning alleged defamation and wrongful prosecution.
Responding to the legal request, Chuvalo’s attorney, Latoya Francis-Williams, informed Us, “Upon examination of Ms. Potter-Ferrell’s [emergency submission], it is evident that the filing is both procedurally incorrect and lacks legal merit under Georgia statutes. This motion constitutes … an effort to revisit and alter a definitive custody order established in September 2024.”
Francis-Williams further commented, “Georgia legal precedent strictly forbids employing emergency motions to revise final custody arrangements without a formal petition and documented evidence of a significant shift in conditions. The most concerning aspect is the chronology and underlying motive.”
Chuvalo’s legal representative stated that her client never agreed to his children featuring on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Francis-Williams continued, “and as their parent, he possesses every right to safeguard their personal privacy and psychological welfare. Of equal worry is the choice to bring this matter back before the very judge who earlier divested Mr. Ferrell of his residence, enterprise, automobiles, and main livelihood without proper legal procedure. Considering that a declaration of intent to sue [court officials] has already been lodged, this brings forth considerable inquiries regarding impartiality, prejudice, and judicial appropriateness.”
Chuvalo’s attorney concluded, “A court session is now set for November 7, 2025, and Mr. Ferrell anticipates that the complete facts will at last be formally recorded. Our legal counsel also plans to initiate further legal actions against those accountable for the wrongful behavior that has inflicted enduring detriment upon Mr. Ferrell and his kin.”
On October 13, Kelli submitted a revised legal request in the ongoing dispute, reiterating the identical concerns.
On Friday, October 17, Kelli submitted court documents withdrawing her ex parte application, effectively retracting her appeal for an urgent court session. She informed Us, “Respecting the Court’s schedule and decorum, I have opted to retract my Ex Parte Motion. This choice demonstrates my dedication to enabling our family to progress, all while protecting what is paramount — meaningful moments with our daughters in their formative years.”
Concurrently, Kelli lodged court filings to designate a process server responsible for delivering the legal documents to her former spouse. The legal proceedings remain active.
As Us initially disclosed, Kelli alleged in July that Chuvalo was delinquent in his child support obligations. He stated his intention to contest the court ruling that granted Kelli the greater share of marital assets in their divorce, notably a restaurant founded during their union.
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Beyond the ongoing disputes with her former husband, Kelli and her next-door resident recently engaged in an altercation that resulted in law enforcement intervention. Both parties pointed fingers, accusing the other of instigating the incident.
Kelli joined the principal cast of RHOA during its 16th season. She is presently filming the 17th season with Parks, Porsha Williams, Drew Sidora, and several other individuals reportedly joining the cast.
